Temporary truce ends in AZ's battle over abortion pill

There was supposed to be a temporary truce in Arizona's battle over what doctors here must say -- or not -- to woman seeking a medical abortion.

During the past legislative session, the Republican-controlled Legislature passed a bill that would require abortion providers to tell patients that it is possible to reverse a medication abortion.

Doctors and Planned Parenthood Arizona filed a lawsuit to keep the law from going into effect, saying there is "no credible evidence'' to support requiring doctors to offer such advice.

Not too long ago, the two sides agreed to argue the issue during a three-day hearing in October.

But according to an article by Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services, the state is asking the judge hearing the case to toss the lawsuit now.

The request is being made by State Health Director Cara Christ and the Attorney General's Office.

The other side doesn't believe the state has a case, but you never know.

What we do know is that this is a bad law based on bad science.

Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said of the Arizona law, "Plain and simple, this law would force doctors to lie to women about their health care options, and that is never acceptable."

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists agrees. Dr. Julie Kwatra, legislative chair of the Arizona Section of ACOG told me, "These are legislators practicing medicine without a license. The medical part is not scientifically proven or sanctioned or based on any real evidence or data. This is dangerous. And it forces physicians to lie."

Which goes against the oath doctors take to practice medicine.

Or, as a doctor from Peoria wrote, "Republicans and Gov. Doug Ducey claim they support less intrusion into our private lives. However, they pass and support SB 1318, a direct assault on my personal freedom and how I practice medicine. In 50 years of treating women and children I have never lied to a patient. This legislation demands I tell them that there is a drug to reverse the effects of the 'abortion pill,' which is false. It would be malpractice to do so. I will refuse to tell women this lie. I do not know how the law could be enforced due to patient privacy rules."