US Appeals Court Preserves Access To Abortion Pill, Tightens Restrictions

Abortion medication is still available but under stricter regulations.

On Friday, a Texas lower court judge issued a decision that entirely blocks the FDA’s authorization of mifepristone. However, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily restricted this decision.

The ruling permits the FDA’s original authorization of mifepristone to remain in place, as the statute of limitations seems to prevent the plaintiffs from challenging the approval. But, the FDA’s modifications, which loosened the regulations surrounding mifepristone, would come to an end. These changes include prolonging the gestational age at which the drug could be administered and enabling the medication to be dispensed through the mail without requiring a doctor’s visit.

Nevertheless, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says that the Biden administration would persist in its efforts to regain complete authorization for mifepristone.

“We believe that the law is on our side, and we will prevail,” she said.

On another note, Democratic leaders in states where abortion is still legal have stated that they are preparing for the drug to become entirely restricted. The states have taken steps to bolster their stocks of both mifepristone and misoprostol. The latter of which can be utilized on its own to end a pregnancy in its early stages.

In fact, California Governor Gavin Newsom revealed that the state had acquired an emergency reserve of misoprostol tablets. Meanwhile, Massachusetts Governor, Maura Healy, instructed healthcare providers in the state to increase their supplies.