06.13.2024 /

SCOTUS decision on mifepristone upholds Americans’ rights to health, democracy, and reproductive freedom 

Yael Lehmann, Interim Executive Director of Families USA, issued the following statement on the Supreme Court ruling on the FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine case, which challenged the wide availability of mifepristone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved mifepristone more than 20 years ago. It remains a safe and effective drug for use in medication abortion, utilized in almost two-thirds of all abortion procedures nationwide.

“Today, the Supreme Court was unanimous in making the right decision. The court has rejected the challenge targeting the wide availability of mifepristone and stated that the lawsuit lacks legal standing. This means that the changes previously made by the FDA to make mifepristone more accessible will remain in effect, including allowing prescriptions through telemedicine, expanding the types of health care providers who can prescribe the drug, and increasing the timeframe for use.”

“This is the first major abortion ruling since the Dobbs decision, and it is a win for all Americans. Decisions around birth control and abortion belong in the doctor’s office, not on the desks of lawmakers and judges. We are thrilled with this outcome, but the fight doesn’t end here. There are nearly two dozen states that have banned or limited access to abortion, and this has an outsized impact on Black women who face more barriers accessing health care and contraception.”

“We will continue standing up for the health and reproductive freedoms of every American, including the 64.5 million women of reproductive age in the U.S., who deserve the right to make decisions about if and when they are ready to start a family.”

“No matter who you are or where you live, you should have access to essential health care, including abortion and contraception, without politically motivated and medically unnecessary hurdles.”