NY shields doctor from Texas abortion pill lawsuit fine

livewell
March 28, 2025
Noah Bennett

A county clerk in New York has refused to follow a Texas court’s order against Dr. Margaret Carpenter, a doctor from New York, accused of sending abortion pills to Texas. This has led to a legal conflict between the two states, which have different abortion laws.

Taylor Bruck, the acting Ulster County Clerk, denied Texas officials’ request to enforce a $113,000 fine against Carpenter. He cited New York’s shield law, which protects abortion providers from legal action by other states.

“As per the New York State Shield Law, I have rejected this request and will reject any similar requests in the future,” Bruck said in a statement.

State Laws Collide Over Abortion Rights

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Carpenter in December, claiming she prescribed telehealth abortion pills to patients in Texas, where almost all abortions are illegal. Since Carpenter did not show up in court, a Texas judge ruled against her, giving her a large fine and banning her from sending abortion pills to Texas.

Paxton criticized New York for not cooperating, saying, “New York is ignoring the Constitution to protect lawbreakers, and this must stop.” He suggested that more legal action could be taken against New York’s shield law.

However, New York officials are standing their ground. Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James supported the judge’s decision, emphasizing their commitment to protecting abortion rights.

“We will not let anyone stop health care providers from giving their patients the care they need,” James said.

Interstate Abortion Battles Intensify

This case could set an important example in the ongoing conflict between states that have banned abortion and those that allow it.

Some conservative states, like Alabama and Louisiana, have tried to make it illegal to help someone travel out of state for an abortion or to prescribe abortion pills through telemedicine.

Louisiana’s Charges Against Dr. Carpenter

In Louisiana, officials have charged Dr. Carpenter with giving abortion pills to a minor. However, New York Governor Hochul has rejected Louisiana’s request to send her back, firmly stating, “I will not approve an extradition order, now or ever.”

Supporters of abortion rights have stood by Dr. Carpenter, criticizing the attempt to punish people who help others get an abortion across state lines.

The Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine Access, which Carpenter helped start, accused Texas officials of putting women in danger by targeting abortion providers.

The Impact of Roe v. Wade’s Overturn

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, states that oppose abortion have tried to expand their restrictions beyond their borders.

However, legal experts believe that enforcing these laws in states that protect abortion rights will be very difficult and face serious legal challenges.

Potential Supreme Court Involvement

The conflict between Texas and New York may eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which could set new legal rules for abortion rights and law enforcement between states.