Catholic nurses sue Colorado to continue abortion-reversal ministry

According to Slavis, they have successfully helped “dozens” of women reverse their chemical abortions and deliver healthy babies.

In April, the Colorado Legislature passed a law banning abortion pill reversal in the state, labeling it “deceptive” and “unprofessional conduct.”

The law means providers such as Bella who continue to offer and advertise progesterone for abortion pill reversal would face up to $20,000 in fines per violation and the loss of providers’ medical licenses.

Slavis said that Bella currently has three women “who are expected to give birth by the end of the year” thanks to being administered progesterone.

“Bella has seen success in this and has every reason to believe, supported by the science, that what they’re doing is really saving lives and really helping these women who have changed their mind in the midst of an abortifacient process,” Slavis said.

The reversal regimen has the backing of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which cites drug development literature and the routine safe use of progesterone in care for pregnant women and in-vitro fertilization treatment.

According to Slavis, attorneys defending the law on Tuesday could not identify any women who have been harmed by the practice of abortion pill reversal.

“The judge asked really pointed questions to the government,” she said, explaining that he asked them to justify why they were “singling out” this use of progesterone instead of any other uses. Slavis said that the state’s attorneys could not give a reason.

A win for Bella in this case, Slavis said, would be “extremely beneficial to faith-based organizations across the country” and would signal to states that they “can’t just target one form of conduct which is religiously motivated and leave all other comparable conduct unregulated.”

In a joint Tuesday statement, Chism and Sinnett said: “We founded Bella because we believe that the miracle of life is worth protecting at every stage and in every circumstance. Under our care, mothers who choose life have access to a safe treatment that increases the chances they will give birth to healthy babies.” 

The nurses “pray that we will be able to continue this life-saving ministry to women who come to us in need of help.” 

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Slavis said that the judge indicated he will issue a preliminary decision by Monday and that she expects his decision will come in the next few days. 

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