FDA to permanently permit abortion pill delivery by mail — but 19 states have already banned the practice

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday announced it is making permanent its temporary decision to allow women to receive abortion pills by mail, after they see a physician via telemedicine. The pills can be prescribed to terminate pregnancies of 10 weeks or less.

But as The New York Times reports, at least 19 states have passed laws banning the practice, and more are expected to follow as the U.S. Supreme Court appears to be moving to overturn Roe v. Wade, or further restrict a woman’s right to make choices about her body.

The FDA had lifted the ban on sending one of two drugs necessary to inducing abortion by mail due to the coronavirus pandemic. That move has now been made permanent, but states can regulate or ban the practice.