Via press release from PPINK
Earlier today, a federal judge in Texas ruled to rescind the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, one of two medications most commonly used in a medication abortion. This ruling will go into effect in seven days, and advocates expect the federal government to appeal the ruling to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals during that time. If the ruling is allowed to go into effect, it will trigger a nationwide ban on mifepristone, even in states where abortion is legal.
Although abortion remains banned in Kentucky, Planned Parenthood health centers in states where abortion is legal are prepared to switch to providing misoprostol-only medication abortion if eventually required. Misoprostol-only medication abortion is a safe and effective alternative to the combination of mifepristone and misoprostol. Misoprostol-only abortion is 85-95% effective. This decision will not impact access to medication abortion in states where abortion remains legal.
Statement by Rebecca Gibron, CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai’i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky:
“Everyone should have the ability to make their own decisions about their body, life, and future. For over 20 years, mifepristone has helped expand access to abortion care, allowing patients to make their own private medical decisions. The decision to rescind the FDA’s approval of mifepristone was a purely political one made by an activist conservative judge, with a goal of making it harder to access medication abortion.
“Anti-abortion activists will stop at nothing to control access to reproductive health care. This case sets a dangerous precedent, allowing activist judges with no medical background to weigh in on the FDA’s authorization of medication. We will continue to fight back against this attack on health care. Planned Parenthood will never stop.”
Additional information on mifepristone:
Mifepristone is used in more than half of abortion procedures nationwide. It is safe, effective, and has been used by more than 4 million people since the FDA approved it more than 20 years ago. There is overwhelming evidence that medication abortion is safe and effective for virtually anyone who wants to end an early pregnancy. Still, access to mifepristone is under attack by extreme minorities who care more about controlling your reproductive choices than they do about science and medicine.
Our Planned Parenthood health centers in Kentucky are ready to help patients access the care they need, even if that means traveling out of state. Our patient navigators are available to answer patient questions about misoprostol-only medication abortion and how this case may affect them. Anyone who needs care should call 1-800-230-7526. Patient navigators are ready to help.
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