Mifepristone is an extremely safe, effective medication that has been used for both abortion and miscarriage care since the FDA first approved it more than 23 years ago. However, a federal judge in Texas imposed a temporary halt on the FDA's approval last April, prompting concerns about access to this crucial medication.
In early February, dozens of Rhode Island’s elected leaders joined with their colleagues across the country to sound the alarm on the nationwide threat to abortion access posed by an unprecedented lawsuit challenging FDA-approved access to Mifepristone.
In March, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding the lawsuit and with medication abortions already making up more than half of all abortions in the United States, the stakes are high. The national implications of this case on FDA decisions loom large, potentially impacting states where abortion remains legal. This case could upend the country’s drug approval process, and put every FDA-approved medication at risk of being restricted to advance a political agenda. Mifepristone is pivotal for ensuring abortion access, particularly in low-income, underserved, and rural areas and must remain on the market.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has joined the 24 attorneys general to advocate for the preservation of access to Mifepristone. This multifaceted legal engagement underscores the gravity of the issue and the determination of our elected champions to protect reproductive rights.
We also want to extend our thanks to the Office of Governor Dan McKee, our members of Congress, and the 21 state legislators who have voiced support through separate briefs, alongside other congressional lawmakers. Their collective efforts emphasize the interconnectedness of state and federal actions in defending reproductive rights.
As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of mifepristone hangs in the balance. The outcome will not only shape abortion access but also influence broader discussions on regulatory oversight and reproductive health care in the United States. The amicus brief signed by Neronha and others underscores a commitment to preserving access to vital health care services.
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