Louisiana Passes Bill to Reclassify Abortion Pills as 'Controlled Substances'
Summary from the AllSides News Team
A bill classifying two abortion-inducing drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, as controlled and dangerous substances recently passed in the Louisiana Legislature.
For Context: If signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, Louisiana will become the first state to have such a law. Supporters of the bill state it aims to protect pregnant individuals from coerced abortions, whereas critics fear it will restrict access to healthcare services and medications used for objectives other than abortions, such as preventing uterine hemorrhage caused by pregnancy complications and preparing the uterus for procedures.
The Details: Republican Sen. Thomas Pressley sponsored the bill, initially intended to criminalize the use of medications to induce abortion without consent. An added amendment labels mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV drugs under Louisiana’s Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, which classifies drugs with potential for abuse or dependence.
How the Media Covered It: Time Magazine (Lean Left bias) focused on the potential implications for healthcare access, emphasizing the concern that the bill could impact the availability of drugs that have wider uses than inducing abortion. The outlet quoted medical professionals opposing the bill. On the other hand, The Daily Wire (Right bias) concentrated on the bill's potential effects as a safeguard against abortion, citing instances of abortion-inducing drugs being shipped into states with pro-life laws. It also highlighted the role of Senator Thomas Pressley and his motivation for introducing the bill. The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) highlighted that under the bill, mifepristone and misoprostol would fall under the same category as opioids. This summary was developed with the help of AllSides' AI technology.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Louisiana Could Soon Classify Abortion Pills as Controlled Substances. Here’s What to Know
A bill passed by Louisiana lawmakers Thursday could see the state become the first in the country to classify two abortion-inducing drugs as controlled and dangerous substances—a move doctors and reproductive rights advocates say could have far-reaching implications for health care access in the state.
The bill, SB 276, passed the state Senate with a vote of 29 to 7, after having passed in the House with a vote of 66 to 30 on Tuesday. It will next go to Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, who is expected to sign it...
From the Center
Abortion Pills in Louisiana Could Soon Be in Same Category as Opioids
The Louisiana Senate passed legislation classifying abortion pills as controlled substances, setting up the state to become the first in the U.S. to criminalize possession of the drugs without a prescription.
The measure passed the GOP-controlled Senate Thursday by a vote of 29 to 7. It passed the state House on Tuesday. If Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signs the bill, as expected, Louisiana would become the first state to classify misoprostol and mifepristone—two drugs used to end pregnancies—as controlled substances.
From the Right
Red State Votes To Make Abortion Pills Controlled Substances As Activists Defy Pro-Life Protections
Louisiana Republicans have advanced a measure that would criminalize possession without valid prescription of two drugs commonly used for illegal abortions.
The measure (SB 276), which passed in the state Senate 29-7 and House 63-29 this week, adds both mifepristone and misoprostol to the state’s list of dangerous controlled substances and creates punishment for coerced abortions. Those two drugs are used to end the life of an unborn child in over half of all recorded abortions.
While medication abortions are already illegal in Louisiana, leftist activists defy the pro-life protections...
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