Blue State Law Lets Abortion Providers Sidestep Accountability When Doling Out Drugs
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NY Governor Blocks Louisiana's Abortion Doctor Extradition Order
Above: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at Hudson Yards on Oct. 10, 2024. Image copyright: Jamie McCarthy/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday rejected Louisiana Republican Gov. Jeff Landry's extradition request for Dr. Margaret Carpenter, citing New York's shield laws, which protect abortion providers from out-of-state prosecution.
In January, a Louisiana grand jury indicted the New York-based doctor for prescribing abortion medication to a minor in Louisiana, where abortion is nearly completely banned, with physicians facing up to 15 years in prison for violations.
On Wednesday, Landry signed the extradition warrant for Carpenter at the request of Attorney General Liz Murrill and District Attorney Tony Clayton. But Hochul has instructed New York law enforcement not to cooperate with out-of-state warrants against doctors protected under state laws.
The Spin
Republican narrative
Hochul shouldn't be allowed to do this. Many states have passed pro-life laws to protect unborn children and their mothers. Laws like New York's shield protections are meant to sidestep these common-sense regulations, which also apply to abortion pills — a method whose safety has been called into question by several medical groups.
Democratic narrative
This extradition request is unconstitutional. Everyone should be worried that one state is attempting to punish a doctor from another state for providing safe and effective medical care. New York's shield laws exist to protect healthcare providers from this very type of politically motivated prosecution.