Dear John,
Today, the Supreme Court issued a ruling [[link removed]] in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA rejecting a challenge to mifepristone, meaning that current access to medication abortion is preserved—for now.
This outcome is a huge relief, and yet, I cannot overstate how enraging it is that it ever got this far.
For more than 20 years, medication abortion has provided a safe, FDA-approved option for ending a pregnancy, empowering millions to make the health care decisions that work best for them. Mifepristone expands access to abortion—it's used in over 60% of all abortions in the United States—and it is also an essential tool in managing miscarriages and treating uterine fibroids. Anti-abortion extremists tried to block access to mifepristone nationwide by asking courts to overturn the FDA’s approval of the drug. They relied on junk science and bogus claims, in direct conflict with extensive studies that have affirmed just how safe and effective mifepristone is.
This case underscores the stark reality—abortion foes will make up facts, distort science, and engage in disinformation in their pursuit of banning abortion nationwide. And they got extremist lower court judges [[link removed]] to agree with them, threatening access to medication abortion across the country.
This is the post- Roe reality we are living in.
While today’s ruling by the Supreme Court is the correct outcome, it’s frightening that millions of people came so close to losing access to this safe and effective medication. And we know this decision will not end the attacks on medication abortion.
We deserve better than this. The National Women’s Law Center and our allies in the reproductive health, rights, and justice movement remain strong in our commitment to fighting for abortion access, which must include protecting medication abortion. We won’t stop working until abortion [[link removed]] is available, accessible, and free from stigma and barriers no matter where you live or how much money you make.
And there are things you can do to join us in our work for justice. First, you can tell your senator to confirm all federal nominees who will protect the rights and well-being of pregnant people [[link removed]] . Second, you can donate to an abortion fund [[link removed]] near you that connects people who are seeking abortions with the resources they need to get that care safely. And most important, you can help spread the word that mifepristone is still available. If you need an abortion, you can find one here
[[link removed]] .
In solidarity,
Gretchen Borchelt
she/they
Vice President of Reproductive Rights & Health
National Women’s Law Center
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