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NEW ORLEANS - Council President Helena Moreno, in partnership with the New Orleans Health Department, has filed a City Council motion to examine the impacts of new state restrictions on critical medications for women experiencing miscarriage and other conditions. The state restrictions, which are causing serious concerns within the medical community, will go into effect on October 1, 2024.
Act 246 of the 2024 Regular Legislative Session created the state restrictions, placing vital medicines, Mifepristone and Misoprostol, on the list of state-controlled substances because the drugs can be utilized to induce abortion. But, Mifepristone and Misoprostol are also widely prescribed drugs to treat a variety of serious and minor conditions – including miscarriage, uterine hemorrhage, ulcer prevention, and others. The new restrictions, doctors worry, will delay emergency care and put women’s lives at risk throughout the state.
“Our state already has some of the highest national levels of maternal mortality, and negative maternal outcomes, and this new state legislation will only exacerbate this crisis,” said Council President Moreno. “I partnered with the Health Department to ensure that any delays of care that put women’s lives at risk are immediately identified. Even a small delay when a patient is hemorrhaging, losing large amounts of blood, can have grave consequences.”
The City Council motion filed Monday by Council President Moreno directs the New Orleans Health Department to investigate and study any delay of care issues related to the classification of Mifepristone and Misoprostol as dangerous Schedule IV controlled substances. This may include but is not limited to: 1) Surveying and consulting physicians, pharmacists, and patients regarding their ability to access Mifepristone and Misoprostol when needed for medically necessary and legal uses. 2) Working with hospitals, physicians, public health entities, and data scientists to review medical and electronic health records to determine whether quality and timeliness of care is impacted by the classification of Mifepristone and Misoprostol as Schedule IV Controlled Substances. The motion also allows the Health Department to set up a complaint-based reporting system to identify challenges and requests the Health Department make recommendations to address any issues identified.
The motion, introduced with all seven Councilmembers as co-authors, will be heard on Wednesday at the Government Affairs Committee before moving on for a vote by the full Council at Thursday’s regular meeting. Watch live at council.nola.gov.live and review the full legislation here.
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