Roman Catholic clinic challenges Colorado ban on pro-life treatment

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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, center, signs three bills that enshrine protections for abortion and gender-affirming care procedures and medications during a ceremony with bill sponsors and supporters on April 14. Associated Press/Photo by David Zalubowski, File

Roman Catholic clinic challenges Colorado ban on pro-life treatment

A federal judge in Colorado heard arguments on Monday about a new state law that would ban clinics from offering treatment to save babies from the chemical abortion pill mifepristone. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty filed a lawsuit on April 14 on behalf of Bella Health and Wellness, a nonprofit Roman Catholic healthcare clinic, to block the law the same day it was signed by Gov. Jared Polis. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Domenico on Apr. 15 exempted the clinic from the ban for 14 days. Colorado authorities said they would not enforce the ban until the state’s medical, pharmacy, and nursing boards rule on whether the abortion reversal procedure is safe. That ruling is expected by Oct. 1.

What is the procedure? Bella Health and other clinics prescribe the hormone progesterone to women who have taken the abortion drug mifepristone but then decide they want to save their babies. Mifepristone is used to thin the uterus lining, while progesterone thickens the lining. The hormone naturally increases during pregnancy and is vital for the development of a baby.

Dig deeper: Read Erin Hawley’s column in WORLD Opinions about the continued fight to restrict abortion pill access.

Lauren Canterberry

Lauren Canterberry is a reporter for WORLD. She graduated from the World Journalism Institute and the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, both in 2017. She worked as a local reporter in Texas and now lives in Georgia with her husband.