Federal judge rules North Carolina residents can take abortion medication at home

A federal judge in North Carolina has blocked certain state restrictions on access to abortion pills but upheld others, handing only a partial victory to abortion rights advocates in the state.

Judge Catherine Eagles, appointed by Obama, ruled that state law preventing access to home-use abortion medications conflicted with the authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Eagles wrote that the state laws “frustrate Congress’s objective of establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework under which the FDA determines conditions for the safe distribution of medicines that do not create unnecessary burdens on the health care system or patient access.”

The ruling, filed Monday, bars North Carolina from requiring abortion medications to be prescribed and picked up in person, as well as other access restrictions. It also prevents local prosecutors from charging people with breaking laws.

Restrictions maintained by the Eagles include requiring an in-person consultation before receiving a prescription and an ultrasound. She said the FDA did not review and reject those requirements.

Amy Bryant, an abortion provider and plaintiff in the case, said in a statement that Eagles’ decision “will allow for greater access to safe and effective medication abortion care throughout North Carolina.”

Attorney General Josh Stein (D) chose not to present a defense in the lawsuit, claiming that the restrictions have already been lifted by the FDA. Stein, an abortion rights advocate, is the Democratic candidate for governor.

Stein said the decision “helps women regain some control over their personal health care decisions.”

The decision may be appealed by the defendants, the president of the state House and the leader of the Senate. The Supreme Court is expected to hear a separate case on the abortion pill mifepristone this term, which could impact the North Carolina case.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story