The Most Common Abortion Method Is in Danger in Every State

The future of medication abortions across the U.S.—even in states with few abortion restrictions—is on the line. Experts call a recent, soon-to-be-decided lawsuit the most consequential court case for nationwide abortion access since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. A ruling is expected as soon as Feb. 24. Here’s what to know about the case. What the lawsuit says The suit, filed Nov. 18, 2022 on behalf of the anti-abortion physician’s group Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine (AHM), seeks to overturn the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s approval of mifepristone: one of the two prescription pills that are typically used in combination to terminate pregnancies, and which account for more than half of all U.S. abortions. AHM holds that the FDA “failed America’s women and girls” because the regulator approved mifepristone via an “accelerated” process more than two decades ago. The FDA has stated that mifepristone was approved within the guidelines at the time and has continued to be evaluated and regulated appropriately. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] The lawsuit is being tried during a confusing time for medication abortion access. Recently, the Biden Administration made moves to expand legal access to the pills; in early January, the FDA released new rules allowing all pharmacies to offer mifepristone, and in 2021, the agency abolished an in-person appointment requirement, which allowed doctors to p...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized abortion Explainer healthscienceclimate Source Type: news