US Justice Department Vows to Protect Reproductive Freedom as Abortion Rights Reversed

Following the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn constitutional protections for abortion, US Attorney General Merrick Garland has issued a statement warning states that they cannot ban the medication abortion drug mifepristone, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2000. The medication abortion is the most common form of abortion care in the US, accounting for nearly 60 per cent of all procedures, and has been deemed safe and effective by the FDA when used in conjunction with misoprostol. As Republican legislators introduce dozens of proposals restricting access to approved prescription drugs for terminating a pregnancy, the Justice Department has vowed to work with other federal agencies to protect and preserve access to reproductive care.

Key Takeaways:

• The US Department of Justice has warned states that they cannot ban the medication abortion drug mifepristone, citing the FDA's expert judgment about its safety and efficacy.
• Medication abortion is the most common form of abortion care in the US, accounting for nearly 60 per cent of all procedures.
• The FDA has approved the use of mifepristone up to 10 weeks of pregnancy and has lifted the in-person requirement for medication abortion prescriptions, allowing patients to access the drugs via telehealth appointments and online pharmacies.
• Nineteen states require a clinician providing medication abortion to be physically present when the drugs are administered, effectively banning telemedicine appointments.
• Advocates and physicians have warned that restrictions on access to medication abortion could lead to dangerous health consequences for women seeking care.
• The Justice Department has pledged to work with other federal agencies to protect and preserve access to reproductive care, citing the FDA's approval of mifepristone and the disproportionate impact of the Supreme Court's decision on people of color and those of limited financial means.

Statistics:

• 60 per cent: The percentage of all pregnancy terminations in the US that are performed via medication abortion.
• 100+: The number of bills filed by Republican legislators to restrict the availability and distribution of medication abortion drugs or to ban them altogether.
• 10: The percentage of pregnancies that result in miscarriages.
• 2000: The year the FDA approved the use of mifepristone for terminating a pregnancy.

Sources:

• Statement from US Attorney General Merrick Garland, 24 June.
• US Department of Justice.
• "National Abortion Federation"
• Food and Drug Administration.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
• "Report: State abortion restrictions"