The Arkansas Senate passed a bill Thursday that would ban a doctor from prescribing drugs via telemedicine, or consultation through video, to induce an abortion. The measure passed 29 to 4.
Democratic Senator Joyce Elliott of Little Rock was one of the few in opposition and the only member to rise to speak.
“We don’t have any doctors that are practicing bad medicine in this arena. The medical board has already said what they should do and yet for some reason we continue to think that we’re better at practicing medicine than doctors are,” said Elliott.
Access to abortion medication through telemedicine is currently not offered in Arkansas. But Republican Senator Missy Irvin of Mountain Home said it’s a good preventative move with broad support.
“I think it just shows that this was a good bipartisan effort in support, to protect the life of the unborn, and I just very much appreciate that. I think it’s a common sense bill that really does speak to the safety and the health of the mother,” said Irvin.
An identical bill has already passed the House. The two chambers are expected to take up each other’s legislation next week.
