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New York State has enacted a new law allowing doctors to shield their names on prescriptions for abortion medication. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the legislation today (February 3), which permits doctors to request that pharmacies list their health practice instead of their name on prescription labels for FDA-approved abortion drugs.
This measure aims to protect New York doctors from potential legal challenges from states with strict abortion laws. Recently, a doctor from New Paltz in Ulster County faced indictment in Louisiana for prescribing abortion medication to a minor via telemedicine. Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of protecting reproductive freedom, stating, "It's more critical than ever for states to step up and protect reproductive freedom — and I'll never back down from this fight."
The new law builds on previous legislation designed to safeguard New York physicians from criminal penalties imposed by other states. This move reflects ongoing efforts to ensure that healthcare providers can offer reproductive services without fear of legal repercussions.