It should be noted, however, that a woman s signature on a patient agreement does not replace the state law concerning informed consent procedures. 2 Other Laws Affecting Medical Abortion Numerous states have laws that require specific kinds of disposal or examination of fetal tissue after an abortion. These laws are generally impractical or even irrational when applied to medical abortion because the woman usually expels the fetal tissue at home. The health care provider who prescribed the drugs for the medical abortion could, however, face penalties or prosecution unless the tissue is saved and examined. Most states require abortion providers to report certain information to the state or keep records of certain information for possible state inspection.
Many states require a provider to report each abortion that is performed.
These reporting requirements apply to medical abortion as well. New Efforts to Restrict Medical Abortion New legislation aimed at directly restricting medical abortion has been proposed in at least 12 states. The new legislation includes bills that clarify the definition of abortion to include mifepristone, exclude medical abortion from public funding for low-income women, and go as far as making a felony to prescribe or to dispense mifepristone. In addition, Bush-appointee Tommy Thompson, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, has the authority to order further study of the safety of mifepristone. However, years of experience with mifepristone and its safety record suggest additional study to be unnecessary.