Supreme Court Ruling Maintains Access to Abortion Pill, Mifepristone
June 17, 2024 (Washington, DC) – The recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold access to mifepristone, a crucial medication used in medication abortion procedures, has been met with relief and cautious optimism by advocates for reproductive rights. The ruling, which rejects efforts to restrict the distribution of mifepristone, ensures continued access to safe medication abortion across the United States.
“This decision by the Supreme Court is a critical yet complex development in the landscape of reproductive rights,” said Traci L. Baird, CEO of EngenderHealth. “Today’s ruling allowing the continued availability of the abortion pill is a significant victory for choice and rights, reaffirming the importance of accessible reproductive healthcare for all individuals, and upholding science, clinical evidence, and the field of medicine. It ensures that medical professionals can continue to rely on evidence-based practices and the standards of care established by the FDA.”
Baird continued, “And yet, as Nancy Northup, President of the Center for Reproductive Rights, noted, ‘this ruling is not a ‘win’ for abortion. It just maintains the status quo, which is a dire public health crisis in which 14 states have criminalized abortion.’ We share this sentiment and remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for policies that protect and expand reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy for all.”
In the case Food and Drug Administratoin (FDA) v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the Supreme Court determined that anti-abortion plaintiffs did not have the right to challenge the FDA’s authority to regulate mifepristone. This decision affirms decades of scientific evidence that demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of mifepristone, which can be used in combination with misoprostol for a medication abortion and continues to allow medical providers to follow the FDA’s guidelines that allow medication abortion to be prescribed through telemedicine and dispensed at pharmacies, ensuring access to reproductive healthcare amidst ongoing legislative challenges.
Advocates stress that while this ruling is a positive step, it highlights the ongoing need for robust protection of reproductive rights across the nation.
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About EngenderHealth
EngenderHealth envisions a gender-equal world where all people achieve their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). We believe this is essential for ensuring all people can achieve their full potential. To achieve this vision, we implement high-quality, gender-equitable programs that advance sexual and reproductive health and rights.