Michigan ended what amounted to a ban on chemical abortion in April, after abortion advocates sued. Dr. Richard G. Roberts, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, said a typical family doctor can expect one to two cases a year, too few for a physician to become comfortable with mifepristone. Add to that the cost of abortion drugs that might expire before being used and the paperwork and training required. Most doctors will refer women to clinics, he said. To doctors who already do surgical abortions, mifepristone has other drawbacks.
Medical abortions can take place outside a doctor's office at any hour.
This means physicians must be on call to answer questions and handle emergencies should a women bleed heavily or react badly to the drug. Doctors also must follow up with patients to make sure the drug worked. It isn't worth it. Kung, president of the gynecological society in San Diego, has sent the few women who have asked for mifepristone to Planned Parenthood, which operates clinics nationwide. I don't want to be responsible around the clock, seven days a week.