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Moves To Allow Telehealth For Abortions And Euthanasia Assessments

by | Thu, Apr 20 2023

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The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is alarmed over plans to introduce telehealth services for abortion and euthanasia.

Queensland is poised to approve a free telehealth abortion service that would make it easier to access abortion pills in remote and regional areas.

The concept is supported by peak medical bodies, but not the ACL.

Acting Managing Director Wendy Francis told Vision Radio it seems that legislation to support the service is being fast-tracked through the state’s parliament.

“The whole idea of abortion by telehealth is just abhorrent to women who care about women’s safety. It is not safe for women. It cannot be adequately assessed over the phone. The doctor can’t possibly know whether you are speaking over the phone in a telehealth situation without any pressure from anybody else. You can’t possibly detect ectopic pregnancy, for instance. You can’t possibly be 100% sure of the gestational age,” Ms. Francis asserted.

She noted that courts in the United States have actually moved to reduce the availability of abortion drugs because of health safety concerns.

The ACL is also shocked that State and Federal Attorneys General are meeting this month to consider telehealth for euthanasia assessments.

Ms. Francis observed: “This is just going down an incredible rabbit hole. I don’t even have to go into the complications that we would find for euthanasia assessment.”