Supreme Court Dismisses Baseless Mifepristone Case and Protects Abortion Medication

This morning, the Supreme Court of the United States delivered an opinion in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine preserving access to mifepristone, one of the two essential medications used in the abortion pill regimen. This decision represents a victory for reproductive rights activists and advocates who tirelessly champion reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy. Millions of people rely on medication abortion care and it now accounts for nearly two-thirds of all abortion care in the U.S. This ruling will allow FDA research-backed regulations to remain in place, ensuring that people across the country will be able to access these medications via telemedicine, mail order, and pharmacy pickup. In addition to protecting access to these incredibly safe medications, this ruling will also prevent similar baseless lawsuits going forward that challenge FDA approval and regulation of controversial drugs. This ruling comes two years after the court rescinded the nationwide guarantee to an abortion, highlighting the resilience and persistence of our movement.

There are 14 states, including LA, that have total abortion bans with extremely limited exceptions, often delaying or denying care and creating medically dangerous situations for pregnant people. This is unacceptable. In Louisiana, we saw the passage of SB 276 which lists essential medications used in the abortion as controlled substances. It is unfortunate, but the Supreme Court’s ruling does not undo that law or stop other states from adopting it in their upcoming legislative sessions. This means that access to mifepristone is very much limited and at risk.

Patience and perseverance are key elements in the fight for reproductive justice and bodily autonomy and the need for it grows every day. Across the country, anti-abortion organizations, legislators, and activists are funding a war on our ability to make informed decisions about our bodies. This ruling is important, and we should take a moment to celebrate it. However, it should also exist as a reminder that the fight may be long, and we won’t win every battle, but we can in fact win.

Our team is made up of passionate activists, advocates, and professionals who will not yield in the face of disappointment. Today, we celebrated, and tomorrow we will continue to advocate for legal access to safe and effective medications that protect the health, well-being, and bodily autonomy of people across our state.