BREAKING: FDA Delays Bogus Review of Medication Abortion, Providing the Trump Administration & Anti-Abortion Lawmakers Cover Ahead of November

FDA delay follows reporting that theTrump administration is slow-walking new attacks on abortion access until after critical midterm elections

WASHINGTON, DC –– Last night, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) announced that their sham review of the abortion medication, mifepristone, will be delayed until 2027. This follows reporting that Todd Blanche was told to back down from executing his anti-abortion agenda to “make Dobbs permanent” by President Trump and White House officials.

FLASHBACK: Almost exactly a year ago, the FDA approved the use of a generic mifepristone, further proof that their ongoing review is based on junk science and political games, not the longstanding safety and effectiveness of medication abortion care.

Medication abortion is safe and effective and has been an important resource for patients for more than two decades. While medication abortion remains available today, relentless attacks on access have forced patients and providers to navigate a complex and ever-changing legal landscape as extremists continue to chip away at access to care — even in states where abortion is legal.

Medication abortion currently accounts for nearly two-thirds of abortions. According to research from Reproductive Freedom for All, restricting access to medication abortion could eliminate care for 64.5 million people across the country.

In response to the FDA’s announcement, Gowri Buddiga, Campaign Director for Free & Just, made the following statement:

“Trump’s FDA is stalling the release of their sham mifepristone report for two reasons: Medication abortion is safe and effective, and attacks on abortion access are deeply unpopular with most Americans –– including many of the President’s supporters.  Playing games with health care is dangerous, and leaves patients and providers across the country in limbo.”

Last month, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee held a hearing for Dr. Heidi Overton, the Trump Administration's nominee for FDA commissioner. Dr. Overton’s nomination is one of the biggest threats to medication abortion access since the Dobbs decision. She celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade as "a huge victory for life," dismissed federal legislation protecting abortion rights as "radicalism," and has promoted false claims about the safety of medication abortion that contradict more than two decades of evidence. If Dr. Overton is confirmed to this role, she will be positioned to ban medication abortion — even in states where abortion is legal and protected. 

Bottomline: For 26 years, Mifepristone has proven to be safe and effective. Despite years of evidence-based research, anti-abortion extremists are literally working overtime to ban access to care nationwide by weaponizing government agencies and spreading misinformation to advance their dangerous agenda.

If you are interested in connecting with patients, physicians, or advocates about receiving or providing medication abortion, including those living in states where abortion is currently protected, please contact malachi@freeandjust.us and kelly@freeandjust.us.

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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.