Iowa Court Rules Doctors Can Dispense Abortion Pills Via Video Call

Abortion opponent Nick Schadler from Dubuque, Iowa, left, holds a rosary as pro-choice supporter Ash Roberts from Detroit, Mich., shouts as pro-choice and pro-life opponents face off in front of the Supreme Court in ... Abortion opponent Nick Schadler from Dubuque, Iowa, left, holds a rosary as pro-choice supporter Ash Roberts from Detroit, Mich., shouts as pro-choice and pro-life opponents face off in front of the Supreme Court in Washington Monday, Jan. 23, 2006. The rally was held to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) MORE LESS

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has issued a ruling that allows doctors to continue dispensing abortion-inducing pills remotely via a video teleconferencing system.

The high court released its unanimous opinion Friday.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the local affiliate, had sued the Iowa Board of Medicine over its 2013 decision that would have required a doctor to be in the room with a patient when dispensing abortion-inducing medication. The board cited safety concerns over a required physical examination.

The court agreed with Planned Parenthood’s argument that the rule would have placed an undue burden on women by requiring a doctor’s physical presence.

The court’s opinion was important for the future of the fairly unique procedure. Iowa is one of only two states offering it.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  1. They deny it of course, but you can bet money that there are Republican legislators all over the state of Iowa having a celebratory beer tonight now that their mistresses are still safe.

  2. Women need clinical services nationwide and also including birth control. This is not a state by state issue.
    If religion and personal beliefs are what make you against someone else’s religion and personal beliefs, then you already have a clear understanding of your own issue.

  3. Gay marriage and now abortion-by-video*? In MY Real America™?

    *Intentionally trollish phrase is intentional

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