MIFEPRISTONE LAWSUITS:
The latest news… and what comes next.
Dueling federal lawsuits could send the fate of the abortion pill mifepristone to the right-wing Supreme Court.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Mifepristone was approved back in 2000 and has long been considered safe and effective by experts. In fact, it sends fewer people to the ER than Tylenol and Viagra.
A two-drug regimen of mifepristone followed by a second medication, misoprostol, is the gold standard for medication abortion care. Mifepristone is also used to treat miscarriages.
This abortion medication can be prescribed via telehealth, sent through the mail, and taken at home, making it more accessible for people who live further from clinics. It’s the most-used method for abortions in the USA.
BACKGROUND ON THE LAWSUITS:
In November, an anti-abortion group filed a lawsuit against the Food & Drug Administration, asking a federal judge to overturn FDA approval of mifepristone. The suit was brought before the Amarillo Division of the Northern District of Texas, ensuring that the judge hearing the case is one appointed by Donald Trump.
Just days ago, 12 Democratic state Attorneys General also sued the FDA in a different federal court — but this is a lawsuit we can get behind.
The Democrats challenged FDA restrictions on how mifepristone can be dispensed and asked the eastern district of Washington to prevent any FDA action that could take mifepristone off the market.
If two different federal courts issue conflicting rulings on the same subject, the Supreme Court is likely to have to get involved.
Thanks to Donald Trump’s handpicked justices, far-right conservatives have a supermajority on the Court. Our access to mifepristone could come down to them.
WHAT’S NEXT:
Although the two-drug protocol — mifepristone + misoprostol — is considered the most effective and is by far the most commonly used regimen in the USA, misoprostol is used alone for abortion care internationally and is also considered effective.
Some US providers are already offering misoprostol alone for abortion care, and others are preparing to do so if mifepristone is banned.
Anti-abortion radicals are already targeting misoprostol, too.
John, they can’t push through legislation at the federal level, so lawsuits against abortion medication are how far-right extremists intend to ban abortion nationwide.
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