Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against Dr. Margaret Daley Carpenter, a New York-based physician, for allegedly providing abortion-inducing drugs to residents of Texas, which contravenes state regulations.
Dr. Carpenter, who founded the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, is accused of supplying these drugs to a resident in Collin County. The incident reportedly resulted in the termination of a pregnancy and led to severe complications for the patient, necessitating medical treatment. Under Texas law, it is illegal for any physician or medical supplier to distribute abortion-inducing drugs via courier, delivery, or mail service. Furthermore, doctors are prohibited from treating patients or prescribing medication through telehealth services unless they possess a valid Texas medical license.
According to Attorney General Paxton's office, Dr. Carpenter treated Texas residents without holding the necessary licensure and authorization to practice telemedicine within the state. The lawsuit seeks an injunction against Dr. Carpenter to prevent further violations and demands civil penalties starting at $100,000 per infraction.
"In this case, an out-of-state doctor violated the law and caused serious harm to this patient," stated Attorney General Paxton. "This doctor prescribed abortion-inducing drugs—unauthorized, over telemedicine—causing her patient to end up in the hospital with serious complications. In Texas, we treasure the health and lives of mothers and babies, and this is why out-of-state doctors may not illegally and dangerously prescribe abortion-inducing drugs to Texas residents."
The full details of the filing are available online.