Arizona health care providers file lawsuit to remove abortion restrictions in state

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Health care providers in Arizona have filed a lawsuit aiming to remove several abortion restrictions still in place, including a 24-hour waiting period that requires patients to make two separate clinic visits.

They argue the rules violate a new amendment passed by voters last November, which protects the right to abortion in the state constitution.

The lawsuit also challenges the state's ban on using tele-medicine for abortion pills, and a law that blocks care based on a patient's reason for seeking an abortion, even in cases of serious fetal conditions.

"There is absolutely no medical reason why I shouldn't be able to offer abortion care via telemedicine," said Dr. William Richardson, OB-GYN and owner of Choices Women's Center. "By banning telemedicine, Arizona is putting ideology over science and politics over patient health. These restrictions are an insult to patients and only push care out of reach — especially for those in rural, low-income, and marginalized communities. Arizonans have a right to autonomy, dignity, and evidence-based care, so I joined this lawsuit to make that a reality — not just for my patients, but for everyone."

Doctors say the restrictions delay access to care, especially for rural and low-income patients, and go against what voters intended when they approved expanded abortion rights.