Idaho to Stop Enforcing Ban on Telemedicine Abortions

Spokesman-Review (Boise) (Jan. 23, 2017): Idaho to Stop Enforcing Telemedicine Abortion Bans, by Kimberlee Kruesi:

Two laws hindering women from obtaining safe abortions have been dismantled in Idaho.  The first curtailed the use of telemedicine to assist women choosing medical abortions.  Telemedicine allows physicians to consult with their patients remotely.  It can be especially useful in delivering medical services in rural areas.  The law required a physician to be present when a patient receives abortion-inducing medication.  The second law simply forbade physicians from prescribing pregnancy-ending drugs remotely.  

Planned Parenthood sued Idaho to dismantle these laws.  A settlement entered into between the parties requires Idaho to repeal these laws by 2017 or have them declared unconstitutional in federal court.  A federal judge has already ruled that requiring a physician's physical presence  imposes an undue burden on women seeking medical abortions with no counterbalancing health benefits.  A similar restriction was struck down by the Iowa Supreme Court in 2015.