SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could shield healthcare providers from being punished for prescribing medication abortion if President Donald Trump revokes FDA approval for the drugs.

Sponsors said the Trump administration presents a national threat to reproductive healthcare access, and Illinois needs laws in place to keep patients and providers safe.

Medication abortion would be protected under state laws as long as it is approved for use by the World Health Organization.

"We have to stop this fort of breaking down all the safety mechanisms we have around abortion," said Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton). "There has to be some safety mechanisms, whether it be in the abortion clinic or it would be with abortion medications."

The measure would apply regardless of whether or not a patient is an Illinois resident. 

House Bill 3637 passed out of the House on a partisan 75-39 vote and received a partisan 38-19 vote in the Senate.

"Healthcare providers and experts deserve to be able to provide services without the fear of retaliation from other state governments hanging over their heads," said Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). "When we uplift healthcare providers, we are ensuring that patients can receive equitable, healthy, and safe care in a timely and professional manner." 

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