ICYMI: U.S. District Court Judge Rejects Baseless Restrictions on Medication Abortion Amid Ongoing Extremist Efforts to Ban Access Nationwide
Court notes restrictions on care are “arbitrary and capricious”
WASHINGTON, DC –– On Friday, a U.S. district judge in Virginia rejected baseless restrictions on access to medication abortion, ordering the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reconsider their ongoing attacks on safe and effective medication. This is only the latest turn in a relentless tug-of-war over access to the most popular form of abortion care nationwide, sowing confusion for the patients who depend on this medication and the providers working to prescribe it.
Abortion medication is currently used in nearly two-thirds of abortions across the country; restricting access to medication abortion could eliminate care for 64.5 million people. While medication abortion remains available today, patients and providers are forced to navigate a complex and ever-changing legal landscape as extremists continue efforts to chip away at access to care.
Friday’s decision comes ahead of oral arguments scheduled for September in Louisiana v. FDA, a Fifth Circuit case where the court will weigh whether to reinstate old FDA restrictions blocking patients from getting mifepristone by mail or from a pharmacy. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily paused a ruling from the Fifth Circuit in the same case that sought to prohibit patients from receiving abortion medication by mail or at a pharmacy after being prescribed the pill through telemedicine. The Supreme Court’s decision temporarily preserved access to mifepristone.
Punting the case back to the Fifth Circuit not only leaves the door open for another unfavorable ruling on mifepristone, but also gives cover to anti-abortion extremist politicians just months before the midterms.
Veronica Ingham, Managing Director for Free & Just, released the following statement spotlighting the ongoing fight to protect access to medication abortion:
“This ruling is a clear win, but it shouldn't have taken a court to state the obvious: medication abortion is safe, effective, and trusted by millions. Judge Ballou saw these restrictions for exactly what they are: 'arbitrary,' 'capricious,' and driven by extremism and pseudo-science rather than medicine. Yet every single day, anti-abortion extremists force patients and providers to navigate a maze of new obstacles designed to put essential care out of reach. We will keep fighting until access to medication abortion is protected for good — not just until the next attack.”
If you are interested in speaking with patients, physicians, or advocates about their experience receiving or providing abortion care, please contact malachi@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.