New Orleans: Difference between revisions

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In New Orleans, you will find many health care resources and support groups, but there are notable restrictions. The city is renowned for its sexual openness and LGBT community. However, the state of Louisiana has also passed laws that make access to contraception and abortion more difficult for people. For these reasons, it's critical that one understands which organizations and resources to reach out to. Generally speaking, you will be able to obtain hormonal contraception (birth control pills) if you're an adult or married minor and hold a prescription. You can purchase condoms in pharmacies and markets. Emergency contraception (also known as the "morning after pill") is legally available to all women without a prescription. You can receive STI tests at public facilities if you're a Louisiana and/or New Orleans resident. If you are not a local resident, you can get tested at many clinics, non-profits or Planned Parenthood. You can also access PrEP in New Orleans. Regarding pregnancy, maternity leave is granted on a federal level under FMLA, although this only applies to some employees. Louisiana has an additional maternity leave policy, called Louisiana Pregnancy Disability Leave, which also only applies to some individuals and grants 6 weeks of leave for normal pregnancies and births. The most restrictive laws in Louisiana apply to abortion. You will find that, while abortion is legal on a national level, there are many state-imposed restrictions that limit accessibility and make the experience much more difficult for women. However, abortions are still performed in New Orleans, and a recent Supreme Court decision struck down the state's attempt to further restrict abortion.

In the United States, abortion is legal, according to the Roe v. Wade decision (1973). However, in Louisiana, there are restrictions on abortion access, which make it less readily available. For an abortion to be performed, the patient must be adult or a minor who has received parental approval. The abortion must be performed before 20 weeks of post-fertilization (i.e. 22 weeks after last menstrual cycle). After or at 20 weeks of post-fertilization, abortion is only permitted if the woman’s life or physical is endangered, or if the pregnancy is “medically futile,” meaning that the fetus would be perceived to feel pain at that point.<ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/state-facts-about-abortion-louisiana?gclid=CjwKEAiApLDBBRC8oICb9NvKsg0SJAD9yOHsaNgE1MMIEDPEjYiYhF3up61CvHvNtT0ZaHJ39fhCBxoC-l_w_wcB State Facts About Abortion: Louisiana]</ref>

 

If a woman wishes to receive an abortion in Louisiana, she must first receive counseling 24 hours before the procedure. During the counseling session, the patient will receive documents that detail potential risks and complications associated with abortion. These documents will also provide a directory of alternative services. Furthermore, the counseling session will include an ultrasound, which determines the state of the pregnancy (i.e. how far along). The health care provider must show and describe the ultrasound images to the woman. There will also be lab work to determine blood RH factors and check iron levels. Patients will watch an informational video about pregnancy options as well. Following the counseling session and 24-hour wait period, patients can set up an appointment.<ref>[http://www.womenshealthcarecenter.com/ Women's Health Center - Louisiana Abortion Details]</ref>

 

In Louisiana, you can obtain a medical or surgical abortion. The use of telemedicine for medical abortions is not permitted.

 

The state of Louisiana has tried to further restrict abortion access. As reported by the New York Times in 2015, "The Supreme Court on Friday temporarily blocked a Louisiana law that its opponents say would leave the state with only one abortion clinic... The Louisiana law, enacted in 2014, requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. A trial judge blocked the law, saying that such doctors were often unable to obtain admitting privileges for reasons unrelated to their competence and that the law created an undue burden on a woman’s constitutional right to abortion."<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/05/us/politics/supreme-court-blocks-louisiana-abortion-law.html Supreme Court Blocks Louisiana Abortion Law]</ref>

 

* [http://www.WomensHealthCareCenter.com Women's Healthcare Center]: All female staff. Provides medical and surgical abortions. "At Women's Health Care Center, we have all female physicians. We understand the importance of your individual needs. It is our goal to make you feel comfortable and to know you are in the care of dedicated, qualified doctors who are devoted to you and your well-being. You deserve to have your doctor listen carefully and understand your unique situation." Address: 2701 General Pershing, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115, (504) 899-6010

* [http://neworleansabortionfund.org/ New Orleans Abortion Fund]: "In partnership with the National Network of Abortion Funds, the New Orleans Abortion Fund is a community-based 501(c)(3) organization rooted in social justice, with the purpose of challenging inequalities of class, gender, race and immigrant status by providing financial help to women who cannot afford the full cost of an abortion. We affirm a woman's right to control her body and her destiny, and work to ensure that all women have access to quality medical care, regardless of their economic situation." Email: abortionfundnola@gmail.com

* [https://lajudicialbypass.wordpress.com/ New Orleans Judicial Bypass Project]: "The Louisiana Judicial Bypass Project is a coalition made up of law students from Tulane University Law School’s Law Students for Reproductive Justice organization and attorneys from the New Orleans area who are passionate about defending women’s rights to obtain the reproductive health services they need."