John,

Mifepristone, when used in combination with misoprostol, provides a safe and effective means of medication abortion, allowing individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health.

The recent decision by Walgreens to halt the distribution of mifepristone in several states, including some in which abortion is legal, has ignited a much-needed backlash to protect access to this safe, effective medication.

As one of the largest pharmacy chains in the United States, Walgreens has set a dangerous precedent that could create a situation where every pharmacy can restrict access to the most widely used method of abortion.

In response to Walgreens' decision, the state of California has suspended a $54 million contract with the pharmacy chain, sending a clear message that such restrictions on reproductive rights will not be tolerated. This decisive action should serve as a model for the federal government, demonstrating the power and responsibility of governments at all levels to protect the right to choose and the health of the American people.

Now, more than ever, we must demand that President Biden take executive action to protect reproductive rights and ensure access to mifepristone by barring pharmacies that refuse to carry the drug from obtaining government contracts.

Mifepristone restrictions will force individuals to travel great distances, face financial burdens, and resort to unsafe alternatives. This is unacceptable, particularly when pharmacies are supposed to ensure access to healthcare services for countless communities across the United States.

It also unfairly impacts marginalized communities the most by adding to existing healthcare and reproductive disparities for low-income individuals, people of color, and those in rural areas.

The bottom line is that the refusal to carry mifepristone by pharmacies like Walgreens only perpetuates cycles of inequality and injustice by deepening disparities and hindering access to safe, affordable, and timely reproductive care.

We must leverage the power of the federal government, to stop all efforts to restrict reproductive rights and ensure that access to safe, effective medication abortions remains available to all who need it.

The time is now for us to stand together and demand that President Biden take bold, decisive action to protect our reproductive rights and the health of the American people.

By barring pharmacies that refuse to carry mifepristone from obtaining government contracts, we can send a powerful message that reproductive rights are non-negotiable and that access to safe, effective medication abortions is a fundamental aspect of our collective health and well-being.

- Amanda

Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund