ICYMI: New JAMA Study Confirms FDA Followed Science on Medication Abortion. Trump Allies Are Moving to Change That
WASHINGTON, DC –– A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) confirms that for the past twelve years, the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decisions related to medication abortion have been based on science alone. Under the Trump administration, FDA’s strict adherence to science and evidence-based research could change.
Medication abortion currently accounts for nearly two-thirds of abortions across the country. According to research from Reproductive Freedom for All, restricting access to medication abortion could eliminate care for 64.5 million people across the country.
The new study, which draws on more than 5,000 pages of internal memos, emails, and other documents, affirms that the FDA has repeatedly evaluated new evidence about the abortion medication, mifepristone, and determined that the drug is safe. Still, political attacks on access to medication abortion continue to escalate.
In response to the new JAMA study, Veronica Ingham, Managing Director of Free & Just, released the following statement:
“For more than a decade, FDA decisions about mifepristone have been guided by science – not ideology. That could change under Trump, and millions of people could soon lose access to medication abortion, even those who live in states where abortion is protected by law. We cannot allow extremist politicians to sideline medical experts and weaponize federal agencies to advance their own agendas. Mifepristone is safe, effective, and extremely popular with most Americans. It’s time for anti-abortion extremists to stop interfering with our personal, private medical decisions.”
On Wednesday, January 14, Senate Republicans are hosting a bogus hearing on the safety of medication abortion, featuring outspoken anti-abortion extremists like Louisiana Attorney General, Liz Murrill.
Under pressure from extremist groups and activists, Trump administration officials like Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary are working to ban medication abortion nationwide. According to survey data released in December 2025, most Americans are unaware of these attacks, but a majority oppose policies designed to restrict access to medication abortion.
Patients who have relied on medication abortion will join Free & Just in Washington, DC on Wednesday, January 14, to set the record straight and demand an end to political attacks on health care.
If you are interested in connecting with patients, providers, or advocates about access to medication abortion or learning more about the January 14 hearing on Capitol Hill, please contact Kelly Rimar (kelly@freeandjust.us).
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