URGE Responds to Initial Ruling on Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine et al V. U.S. Food and Drug Administration et al
April 7, 2023
urge@fenton.com
On April 7, a federal judge in Texas ruled to suspend FDA approval of Mifepristone, a safe and effective pill used in clinician-guided and self-managed abortion care. Anti-abortion groups initiated this lawsuit just weeks after the FDA expanded access to abortion pills by allowing them to be offered at retail pharmacies and removing the in-person requirement. This case is the latest attempt by extremists to control people’s bodies and further restrict healthcare options, at a time when abortion pills now account for more than half of all abortions in the US.
In response, Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director of URGE, said:
“Today’s decision has brought more confusion than clarity. However, while we anticipate the final outcome and learn how it will impact people – particularly young Black and brown people and LGBTQ+ folks who face increased barriers to abortion access and are more likely to self-manage their abortions – here’s what we can confidently say now:
“People will always need abortions. People will always have abortions.
Abortion pills are safe and effective.
Abortion bans are racist.
We keep us safe, not judges and courts.“Currently, Mifepristone is still on the market and available to abortion providers and individuals seeking to self-manage their abortions. Our fight is not over. We will continue to advocate for everyone to have access to the abortion care method that best suits them without stigma, political interference, or risk of criminalization.”
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