On Friday, Ochsner Health released a statement correcting an egregious radio segment and coinciding article published by New Orleans Public Radio (WWNO). The article was originally entitled “Ochsner Health Applauds City Council Investigation of New Anti-Abortion Law,” and cited a motion passed by the councilon Sept. 18th to investigate the potential consequences of the “Abortion by Fraud Act” Act 246.
Act 246 is slated to take effect Oct. 1 and makes it a crime to force or coerce a woman into the abortion decision by utilizing chemical abortion pills without her knowledge or against her will. It also adds the two pills in the chemical abortion process, mifepristone and misoprostol, to Schedule IV of Louisiana’s controlled substance list (CDS List).
Ochsner Health is Louisiana’s largest non-profit health institution with nearly 50 medical facilities in the region. Chief Physician Executive and President of Ochsner Health, Dr. Robert Hart, said the following in his statement:
“We respect the guidance in Louisiana Act 246 and have updated our processes to be compliant with the law and also ensuring that misoprostol will be readily available in Labor & Delivery units across the system, including in emergency situations. As with all controlled substances, misoprostol can be prescribed with clear documentation of clinical condition with accompanying diagnosis codes both in the patient’s medical record and the prescription/order by any provider with a DEA license. It is standard practice to securely store certain medical supplies in patient care areas.”
Dr. Hart concluded: “We appreciate the close collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Health, the Attorney General and other government partners in developing these protocols. With respect to New Orleans City Council Motion M-24-499, Ochsner has not previously made a statement related to our position on the proposed study, but to avoid any ambiguity, we do not believe a study is necessary as it relates to protocols at Ochsner. We are confident in the new procedures being implemented, and as always, we remain committed to serving our patients and providing high-quality and compassionate healthcare.”
The Communications Director for Louisiana Right to Life, Sarah Zagorski, said the following in response to WWNO’s original story and Dr. Hart’s statement:
“The inaccurate segment and article by WWNO was a conspicuous example of how far abortion proponents will go to disseminate misinformation about Louisiana’s pro-life laws and elicit fear in our citizens. The health and safety of pregnant women and their unborn children is of utmost concern to Louisiana Right to Life, and Act 246 will protect women and girls from predators that weaponize these drugs for nefarious purposes as occurred to Sen. Pressly’s sister, Catherine Herring.
As reported in The New Orleans Advocate/Time Picayune, these drugs have been obtained online and sold by out-of-state and international abortion distributors, which puts minors and victims of violence at risk.
Louisiana Right to Life has requested the letter originally cited by WWNO but, as of yet, it has not been produced. It is evident from the leadership at Ochsner that they are prepared for the implementation of the law, and any attempt by the media to suggest otherwise is detrimental to Louisiana citizens and the medical profession as a whole. We are grateful that Dr. Hart made it exceedingly clear that Louisiana women will continue to receive high-quality maternal care at their hospitals and facilities.”
Louisiana Right to Life has provided the guidance from the Louisiana Department of Health, statement from Attorney General Liz Murrill and Dr. Robert Hart below.
