In 2008 Planned Parenthood of the Heartland in Iowa began performing what has been termed "skype abortions." A skype abortion is where the physician never actually physically examines a patient, rather, diagnoses them via a webcast and if the patient qualifies to have a chemical abortion, pushes a button which allows RU-486 to be dispensed to the women seeking an abortion.
In August 2013 the Iowa Board of Medicine passed regulations to ban skype abortions. Planned Parenthood of the Heartland challenged the Iowa Board of Medicine's decision, and this week Polk County District Jude Jeffrey Farrell, thankfully upheld the state Board of Medicine's regulations to ban skype abortions.
The Board of Medicine regulations do not ban chemical abortions or the use of RU-486; rather, it places common sense regulations on the practice of dispensing RU-486, specifically requiring a doctor to physically examine the patient before prescribing RU-486 and requiring a follow-up visit, among other provisions.
As more people learn more about the practice of skype abortions, more states will take action to preserve health and safety standards for their citizens and ban this practice.
