Lawmakers Seek To Limit RU-486 Access

W A S H I N G T O N, Feb. 6 -- Republican lawmakers from Arkansas and Louisiana are pushing for a limit on doctors who can prescribe the "abortion pill," contending that earlier government approval of the drug omitted necessary safeguards.

The bill, offered by Sen. Tim Hutchinson of Arkansas and Rep.David Vitter of Louisiana, requires that a doctor prescribingRU-486 must be qualified to handle complications from incompleteabortions as well as legally authorized to perform abortions. Aprescribing doctor also must have admitting privileges at a nearbyhospital.

Hutchinson said the bill's only intention is "to ensure thehealth and safety of women who are prescribed RU-486."

"I have no doubt that if women were asked whether their doctorshould be required to be able to read an ultrasound, handlecomplications and get them admitted to the hospital in case of anemergency, they would not hesitate to demand those levels ofcompetence," Hutchinson said.

Vitter added, "The least we can do is ensure that this drugdoes not endanger the health of the mother."

Abortion Rights Activists Respond

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Abortion rights activists immediately denounced the offeredlegislation as a Republican attempt to limit access to RU-486, thedrug mfepristone, which was approved by the Food and DrugAdministration last September after years of debate.

The FDA said in its approval that prescribing doctors should beable to refer patients for surgical abortions or admission tohospitals.

Abortion rights activists argue that the FDA set up a lengthyprocess for administering the drug, including that a woman mustvisit the prescribing doctor three times before she can receive thedrug. They also note the drug went through almost eight years ofclinical trials in the United States before approval.

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., said the Republicans' plan will"significantly impede access to abortion."

"Today members seek to restrict use of mfepristone. Tomorrow itwill be the birth control pill. Enough is enough," said JatriceMartel-Gaiter, chief executive officer of Planned ParenthoodMetropolitan Washington.