SD House Overwhelmingly Approves Safeguards Against Mail-Order Abortion Drugs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2022
Contact: Mallory Carroll, [email protected]

Washington, D.C.By a vote of 62-8, the South Dakota House of Representatives today passed legislation that codifies in law state-level safeguards blocking the distribution of dangerous chemical abortion drugs through telemedicine, proposed by Governor Kristi Noem. 

In 2021 the Biden administration moved to weaken longstanding federal safety regulations against mail-order abortion drugs designed to protect women from serious health risks and potential abuse. The Biden administration policy allows for dangerous at-home, do-it-yourself abortions without necessary medical oversight.

Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser praised the South Dakota Legislature and Gov. Noem, saying:

“We are encouraged to see these much-needed safeguards for women’s health and safety pass with overwhelming support in the South Dakota House and the tireless advocacy of Governor Noem. Mail-order abortion drugs are not safe for unborn children or their mothers, who are showing up in emergency rooms across the nation at alarming rates because of chemical abortion – yet the Biden administration is recklessly plowing ahead with plans to turn every pharmacy and post office into an abortion center, with no in-person medical oversight, permanently. We thank the legislature, Gov. Noem for her leadership, and all our local allies who are fighting back and working to make South Dakota the safest place in the nation for women and children.”

recent, first-of-its-kind study found that the rate of abortion-related emergency room visits following a chemical abortion increased by more than 500% from 2002 through 2015. In the last year Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas have enacted state-level safeguards against mail-order abortion drugs, with additional states considering action.

Noem has previously signed into law measures that ensure babies born alive after failed abortions receive medical care and that stop lethal discrimination abortions based on a Down syndrome diagnosis, and has proposed legislation to protect unborn children from abortion when their heartbeat can be detected.

SBA List is a network of 900,000 pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders. 

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