BREAKING: SCOTUS Punts Decision on Medication Abortion as Millions of Patients and Providers Hold Their Breath
Louisiana v. FDA could ban medication abortion even in states where it is legal and protected
WASHINGTON, DC –– Today, the US Supreme Court extended the administrative stay issued in Louisiana v. FDA on May 4 which temporarily restores access to the abortion medication, mifepristone. The Court’s administrative stay ends Thursday, May 14 at 5pm ET, when the Court could make a ruling on whether the in-person dispensing requirements can be reimposed while the case continues to sow chaos and uncertainty for women and families across the country.
Abortion medication currently accounts for nearly two-thirds of abortions across the country; banning access to medication abortion could eliminate care for 64.5 million people across the country. The news comes amid mounting pressure from extremist groups and Republican lawmakers eager to ban medication abortion nationwide – even in states where it is currently legally protected.
In response to ongoing attacks on access to medication abortion, Veronica Ingham, Managing Director for Free & Just released the following statement:
“Today’s Supreme Court order extending the administrative stay in FDA v. Louisiana leaves millions of patients and health care providers across the country in limbo. But it doesn’t change the truth: medication abortion is safe, and the politically motivated campaign to restrict it puts every American’s health at risk. Free & Just will keep uplifting the stories of women, patients, and providers paying the price for these deadly abortion bans.”
On Tuesday, May 12 at 10am ET, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Mini Timmaraju, President and CEO, Reproductive Freedom for All, and Dr. Kristin Lyerly will join Free & Just, patients, and legal experts to discuss the latest in Louisiana v. FDA, the largest threat to abortion access since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Register to attend the Zoom event (Registration required).
If you are interested in speaking with patient and physician storytellers about the impacts of abortion bans and restricting access to medication abortion, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us and 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.