Dear John,

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a major case concerning the FDA’s loosening of regulations on the abortion drug mifepristone [[link removed]].

The FDA’s policy revisions have made chemical abortions more common and put women at risk.

Read More [[link removed]]

Here’s what you need to know about this crucial case:

What does this lawsuit seek to do?

The lawsuit currently before the Supreme Court challenges the FDA’s 2016 and 2021 policy changes expanding access to mifepristone, which is used in combination with misoprostol to cause chemical abortions. A rollback of the recent policies would restore regulations on the drug.

What does the lawsuit not do?

A decision in favor of restoring regulations would not trigger a nationwide ban on mifepristone. A separate effort to roll back the FDA’s 2000 approval of the drug was tossed out, leaving only the challenge to the 2016 and 2021 FDA policy revisions that expanded access to the drug.

How did the FDA expand access to it, and why is that dangerous?

In 2016, the FDA allowed women to use mifepristone later in the pregnancy, and allowed nurse practitioners and physician assistants, not just doctors, to administer it. In 2021, the FDA dropped the requirement for an in person evaluation and permitted mifepristone to be prescribed online and distributed via mail, as well as dispensed at local pharmacies.

The Charlotte Lozier Institute warns that leaving women to self-manage their own abortions presents a range of risks and complications, including “lack of necessary ultrasounds to confirm gestational age and rule out ectopic pregnancy, inability to confirm that a woman is not being coerced to obtain an abortion,” and even “abandonment of women to deal with the medical and psychological repercussions of abortion by herself with no follow-up.”

The FDA warning label [[link removed]]for the mifepristone and misoprostol regimen states that between 2.9–4.6%, or roughly 1 in 25 women, visit the emergency room after taking the drugs.Up to 8% of women reportedly experience bleeding for more than 30 days.Roughly 85% of women who consume the drugs report at least one adverse reaction, most commonly “nausea, weakness, fever/chills, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and dizziness.” Other adverse reactions can include [[link removed]] allergic reactions and potentially even death [[link removed]].

John, chemical abortions now make up the majority of abortions across the country. These are high-risk [[link removed]] drugs, and women are being left to deal with the complications and consequences alone. The Supreme Court could reverse the online prescription of the drugs and distribution via mail, potentially reducing nationwide chemical abortions and restoring medical safeguards for women.

We hope the Court will bring back crucial protections for both pregnant mothers and the unborn.

Oregon Right to Life is closely watching this case and will always work to advance protections for the unborn and for women in need of pro-life support and encouragement. Keep up to date by tracking our news page here [[link removed]] and following us on social media. Thank you for standing with the most vulnerable.

Because everyone deserves an advocate,

Lois Anderson

Executive Director

Support [[link removed]] Oregon Right to Life

4335 River Rd. N

Keizer, OR 97303

503-463-8563 Preferences [link removed] | Unsubscribe [link removed]