NEW ORLEANS — In just under two weeks, a new law will go into effect making Misoprostol and Mifepristone controlled substances.
On Wednesday, New Orleans City Council Members weighed in on the issue, voting unanimously to create a system where doctors and patients can anonymously report delays in care to the New Orleans Department of Health.
They’re also asking the New Orleans Department of Health to study how restrictions will impact women’s healthcare.
“What we are doing, is creating a way for people to anonymously report their experiences, whether they’re a physician or a person experiencing a delay in care,” New Orleans City Council Member Lesli Harris said.
From postpartum, hemorrhaging to miscarriage treatment, public health officials say easy access to the drugs can be a matter of life and death.
On Tuesday, Attorney General Liz Murrill told WWL Louisiana doctors will still have access to the drugs when needed.
“There are plenty of ways that medication can be secured and still provide proper health care to women,” Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said.
The Director of New Orleans Health Department Dr. Jennifer Avegno says the red tape would delay that access during a time when every second counts.
“A controlled substance has to be in a locked cabinet with a specific procedure for accessing,” Director of New Orleans Health Department Dr. Jennifer Avegno said. “That cabinet is likely going to be down the hall. You’ll have to send a nurse from the bedside of a sick patient all the way down to get it and put in a code. That can take several minutes.”
After Wednesday’s meeting, Attorney General Liz Murrill said doctors have nothing to worry about.
“The New Orleans City Council is manufacturing a problem that doesn’t exist. The Louisiana Department of Health Guidance is clear, that no care should be delayed,” Murrill said.
The council will begin discussing the ordinance on Thursday at their regular meeting.
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