New Data Confirms Two-Thirds of Americans Reject Efforts to Ban Medication Abortion as Bogus FDA “Review” Continues
WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, KFF released new data highlighting the popularity of medication abortion nationwide, and yet, most Americans are largely unaware of how President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are pushing their extreme agenda to ban access to care. Mifepristone is a safe and effective medication that’s been approved for over twenty years. Despite a proven track record, and years of evidence-based research, medication abortion is the latest target for anti-abortion Republicans to ban abortion nationwide.
Medication abortion now accounts for nearly two-thirds of abortions across the country, while Republicans are pressuring federal agencies to reverse the FDA’s approval of the medication involved. In June, Commissioner Makary pulled from bogus science to affirm his pledge to conduct an “investigation” into mifepristone. In September, RFK Jr. launched a new FDA review of mifepristone. When asked during a hearing, Secretary Kennedy shared that investigations into medication abortion are underway, tracking this administration's continued commitment to banning abortion and restricting reproductive freedom across the country.
In response to the new data reported by KFF, Veronica Ingham, Managing Director of Free & Just, released the following statement:
“Despite data showing that Americans support reproductive freedom, Trump and his anti-abortion appointees are pulling every lever to attack medication abortion. Science affirms that medication abortion is safe and effective; and it’s changed the lives of patients nationwide. Baseless political attacks on medical care are dangerous, and Free & Just will continue uplifting the stories of those impacted.”
Bottomline: Anti-abortion extremists are working to ban abortion nationwide any way they can – no matter how unpopular it is.
Fewer Than Half Of The Public Are Aware Of Mifepristone’s Prevalence And Safety. About half (53%) of the public say they have heard of mifepristone, but about one in four (24%) adults correctly say that most abortions in the U.S. are medication abortions, while three in ten (29%) incorrectly believe that most abortions are done procedurally, and nearly half (47%) say they are not sure.
Public Awareness of Recent FDA Review of Mifepristone Is Low. Most of the public say they have heard “a little” (27%) or “nothing at all” (47%) about the move from Secretary Kennedy and the FDA.
A Majority of the Public Oppose Policy Proposals Aimed at Restricting Medication Abortion Access. Two-thirds of adults who oppose banning the use of medication abortion, nationwide (68%) and a similar share who oppose making it a crime for health care providers to mail abortion pills to patients in states where abortion is banned (65%).
Most of the Public Opposes the Medicaid Funding Ban on Clinics that also Provide Abortions. About two-thirds (65%) of the public oppose the current law banning clinics that provide abortions from receiving federal Medicaid payments for other services they provide.
Nearly half of Republicans oppose banning medication abortion. 48% of MAGA Republicans oppose banning mifepristone nationwide.
If you are interested in connecting with patients, providers, or advocates about access to medication abortion and the continued attacks on mifepristone at the local and federal level, please contact Kelly Rimar (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.