.svg)
How the Supreme Court Decided to Protect Mifepristone Access
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed an attempt to block access to Mifepristone, one of two medications used to terminate pregnancy.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Plaintiffs, anti-abortion doctors and organizations did not have a personal stake and therefore could not block the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Mifepristone as a mechanism for abortion.
This is coincidental since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June of 2022.
Mifepristone is one of two medications used in conjunction to terminate pregnancy without the use of surgical procedures. Mifepristone, which was approved for use in abortions by the FDA in 2000. The Guttmacher Institute states that it is safe and accounts for nearly two-thirds of all U.S. abortions. Medication abortion is approved by the FDA for use up to 10 weeks of gestational age and it is used safely off-label at later gestations.
As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision, birthers in Georgia will continue to be able to obtain a prescription from a physician, not physician assistant or nurse practitioner, and then purchase said medications from select pharmacies retail and online pharmacies that agree to carry the medications.
SisterLove’s work is not done. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision was based on a technicality, we may see new challenges to Mifepristone in the future. Georgia still maintains its six-week ban on abortion. Plus, there are 14 states that ban abortion and 15 states either prohibit or limit access to medication abortion.
We support the right of women, girls, and gender expansive groups to choose their own path, whether it be to give birth to a child or to terminate a pregnancy. We will continue to stand firm for sexual and reproductive justice. We stand strong with all women and will continue to fight for a system that protects the right bodily autonomy.
Learn more about our stance on sexual and reproductive justice please visit our policy briefs collection.
Join SisterLove in the fight for upholding all aspects of reproductive justice by signing on as a SisterLove E-advocate.
