This news is difficult to cheer because this ruling really did nothing to fully protect a person’s access to mifepristone. The Supreme Court did unanimously rule that the plaintiffs that brought the case, a group of doctors, do not have standing to sue over the use of mifepristone because there was no harm done to them over the use of the drug. What is troubling is that the case was not dismissed, but it was sent to the lower courts which could lead to restrictions over the use of the abortion pill, which is not just used for abortions. This has left the door open for more challenges to mifepristone and people’s ability to seek an abortion which would have deadly ramifications if there are any further changes to access the drug.
Several states are attempting to take over the case from the anti-abortion groups that brought it to the Supreme Court. Missouri, Idaho, and Kansas are all claiming that their state has been harmed due to impacts on insurance programs and that it affects a state’s ability to create laws. This is a massive stretch and hopefully the Supreme Court Justices will also side the same way they have in this case. They could change their argument, though, based on the ruling. Since the Supreme Court sent it down to the lower courts, it gives anti-abortion groups more chances to attack mifepristone and they have pledged not to back down.
Mifepristone is widely used around the world for abortions and is safe to use. There are few side effects and serious incidents of side effects over the amount of time it has been prescribed for abortions as well as other procedures and treatments.
Anti-abortion groups are not backing down. It’s not just access to an abortion, but also contraception and IVF that are also being attacked and restrictions sought. They want to control women and women’s access to healthcare and these attempts at women’s human rights have deadly consequences.
But what is being done to stop this? Congress failed to pass legislation protecting Americans use of contraceptives. President Biden has stated that he is poised to protect access to abortions, birth control, and IVF. Then why did the bill fail and our rights not protected if that is what the Democrats are going to campaign on? Why should any voter trust this party when they have done nothing to enshrine any reproductive health rights for women and pregnant people?
Who has done the work? Reproductive rights groups, the ACLU, and women’s rights groups have done the work to get abortion on the ballot and because of voters, these measures have passed in a few states already. Many more have abortion on the ballot and hopefully voters will vote for their rights instead of further oppression and death because those are the actual consequences to legislation that denies a right to an abortion.
There should never be restrictions to lifesaving healthcare or access to birth control. People will die as a result. Lives will be irrevocably changed for the worse.
Let women and their doctor’s decide what is the right option for them.
Vote pro-choice
Vote 3rd party
Vote them all out
Articles for reference. Please read and share.
Reuters: US Supreme Court preserves access to abortion pill mifepristone
Forbes: Abortion Pill Mifepristone: GOP States Expected to Sue After Supreme Court Loss
VOX: Abortion pill rulling: Why mifepristone is safe abortion medication