Newsom Blocks Louisiana Extradition of California Doctor Accused of Mailing Abortion Pills
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has blocked Louisiana’s request to extradite Dr. Remy Coeytaux, citing a 2022 executive order that bars state agencies from aiding out‑of‑state abortion prosecutions. Louisiana has charged Coeytaux with “abortion by means of abortion‑inducing drugs,” a felony the state says could carry up to 50 years in prison after pills were ordered via telehealth by a Louisiana woman’s then‑boyfriend, and Newsom framed his decision as preventing “extremist politicians from other states” from punishing California doctors who provide reproductive health care.
📌 Key Facts
- On Jan. 15, 2026, California Gov. Gavin Newsom blocked Louisiana’s request to extradite Dr. Remy Coeytaux, a California doctor accused of mailing abortion pills.
- Newsom said his action rests on a 2022 executive order that bars California state agencies from aiding out-of-state abortion prosecutions.
- He framed the move as preventing "extremist politicians from other states" from punishing California doctors for providing reproductive health care.
- Louisiana has charged Coeytaux with "abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs," a felony that state officials say could carry up to 50 years in prison.
- According to the reporting, the case stems from pills ordered by a Louisiana woman’s then-boyfriend via telehealth.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2022, 41.8% of women who received abortions in the United States had incomes less than 100% of the federal poverty level, while 30.9% had incomes between 100% and 199% of the federal poverty level.
Percentage of women who received an abortion by income U.S. 2022 — Statista
Prevalence rates for pregnancy coercion in the United States range from 1% to 19%, based on quantitative studies.
Reproductive Coercion: A Systematic Review — PMC - NIH
Biologic and genetic determinants play a significant role in maternal mortality, with top causes of pregnancy-related deaths differing by race and ethnicity in the United States.
Maternal Mortality in the United States: A Focus on Health Disparities — BCPHR
In states with abortion bans, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 60.9 per 100,000 live births, significantly higher than the rate of 19.5 for White women in those states.
Maternal Mortality in the United States After Abortion Bans — The GEPI
As of December 2023, telehealth constituted 19% of abortions in the US health care system, with higher rates in Southern and Midwestern states with abortion bans.
Virtual Clinic Telehealth Abortion Services in the United States One Year After Dobbs: A Landscape Review — PMC - NIH
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he is blocking Louisiana’s request to extradite Dr. Remy Coeytaux, citing a 2022 executive order barring state agencies from aiding out‑of‑state abortion prosecutions.
- Newsom explicitly framed the move as preventing 'extremist politicians from other states' from punishing California doctors for providing reproductive health care.
- The article reiterates that Louisiana is charging Coeytaux with 'abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs,' a felony that Louisiana officials say could carry up to 50 years in prison, and that the case stems from pills ordered by a Louisiana woman’s then‑boyfriend via telehealth.