老澳门开奖结果

HAG脜T脩A, Guam 鈥� A federal court issued a preliminary injunction on Friday, temporarily blocking a provision of Guam law that created unnecessary obstacles to accessing medication abortion using telemedicine, following a lawsuit filed by two physicians represented by the 老澳门开奖结果 and Guam-based attorney Vanessa L. Williams.

The injunction from the U.S. District Court for the District of Guam means that patients can now receive government-mandated information prior to their abortion from their physician via telemedicine, without having to make a separate, medically unnecessary in-person visit.

鈥淭his ruling puts science over politics, blocking yet another medically unnecessary obstacle that was making it more difficult for people in Guam to access abortion care,鈥� said Rachel Reeves, staff attorney at the 老澳门开奖结果 Reproductive Freedom Project. 鈥淎t such a critical moment for abortion access in this country, the court鈥檚 decision is an important step toward ensuring that all of us 鈥� no matter where we live 鈥� can exercise that right.鈥�

This decision follows a partial settlement secured by the plaintiffs in early March which ensures that a 1978 law that requires abortions to be 鈥減erformed鈥� in a clinic or hospital cannot be used to restrict access to medication abortion. The settlement cleared the way for residents of Guam to access medication abortion through telemedicine rather than having to leave the island and fly nearly 4,000 miles each way to Hawai鈥榠 鈥� or further 鈥� just to receive care.

As with all abortion restrictions, the challenged laws disproportionately burdened people of color and people with low incomes: In Guam, these burdens fall most heavily on CHamoru people (the Indigenous people of the Mariana Islands).

鈥淔or people in Guam, just like across the United States, having safe, legal access to abortion means that we can make decisions about our lives, our families, and our futures,鈥� said Vanessa L. Williams, an attorney in Guam and co-counsel in the case. 鈥淲e stand on the shoulders of our foremothers in this fight 鈥� including CHamoru women who have fought for decades to safeguard abortion access in Guam. I am so proud we can continue that legacy today.鈥�

鈥淎 person鈥檚 health, not politics, should guide important medical decisions throughout pregnancy and it is long past time these barriers were lifted,鈥� said Dr. Shandhini Raidoo, a Guam-licensed physician and plaintiff in the case. 鈥淭hanks to this ruling, our patients in Guam will no longer be singled out through unnecessary restrictions on telemedicine that cause harm without providing any benefit to the health of patients.鈥�

More than a decade of research and experience show that the medications used for a medication abortion can safely and effectively be prescribed through telemedicine. Using telemedicine for medication abortion can reduce barriers to abortion care, particularly in under-resourced areas, and for some patients allows them to obtain abortion care where they feel safest and have the most privacy.

鈥淭his court ruling is essential to the well-being of our communities,鈥� said Maria Dolojan, co-founder and executive director of Guam reproductive justice initiative Famalao'an Rights. 鈥淲hen abortion can once again be accessed on our island, it will allow us to take control of our futures and make the best medical decisions for ourselves and our families. This win is a win for every person seeking reproductive health care in Guam.鈥�