Senator Calls for DOJ Action Following Case of Forced Abortion Pill Administration

<p>Senator Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, has alleged that a drug policy implemented during the Biden administration contributed to a serious incident involving one of his constituents. He has requested the Department of Justice to intervene to prevent similar occurrences in the future.</p><p>Ohio doctor Hassan Abbas was sentenced earlier this month for identity fraud and deception to obtain a dangerous drug. Prosecutors claimed that he used his estranged wife’s personal information to obtain abortion pills through the mail and force-fed them to his girlfriend, a former patient, after she disclosed her pregnancy. The woman stated that she did not consent to the abortion and alleged that she was held down by Abbas while he administered the pills.</p><p>In a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche, Moreno expressed his concerns, stating, "I write to you today to respectfully request that you do everything in your power to ensure this depravity never happens again to a woman and their unborn child."</p><p>Moreno described the incident, saying, "My constituent was held down and force-fed crushed-up mail-order abortion pills. When she finally physically escaped, she rushed to the hospital where she began hemorrhaging." He attributed the incident to what he referred to as "reckless Biden-era mail-in abortion policies."</p><p>The policy in question is a 2023 Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy change initiated by the FDA under the Biden administration, which permitted mifepristone, an oral drug used to induce abortion, to be prescribed via telehealth and sent through the mail. Moreno contended that this change allowed Abbas to obtain the drugs remotely, circumventing the previous requirement for in-person dispensing at a clinic, medical office, or hospital.</p><p>Louisiana is currently challenging the FDA rule in court, arguing that the agency improperly eliminated the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone. This case is ongoing, with the current regulations still in effect.</p><p>In his letter, Moreno urged Attorney General Blanche to act swiftly to conclude the Louisiana v. FDA case and reinstate the in-person dispensing requirement as the FDA conducts a safety review of the drugs.</p><p>Abbas ultimately accepted a plea deal, resulting in a sentence of six months in jail and two years of probation, which Moreno deemed unacceptable. He stated, "How can someone commit a crime so vile and only receive six months of jail time?" He has requested that the Department of Justice review the case for potential federal charges.</p>