The significance of the Supreme Court upholding mifepristone access
In an interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, Bianca Hall, DO, MSCR, discusses the Supreme Court’s decision affirming mifepristone's safety and accessibility, emphasizing its role in providing comprehensive abortion care.
In a recent interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, Bianca Hall, DO, MSCR, complex family planning subspecialist at UNC School of Medicine, discussed the Supreme Court’s decision to retain nationwide access to mifepristone for abortion care, and how this decision shows mifepristone is safe for use in pregnant individuals.
On June 13, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine lacked standing to challenge the FDA’s regulations for mifepristone. This decision indicates that access to mifepristone for medication abortion will be upheld in the United States.
The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine argued that the FDA regulations in 2016 and 2021 led to patient harm. However, this decision shows that abortion care is safe and evidence based. Mifepristone has been available for medication abortion for over 20 years, with long-standing data showing that the regimen with mifepristone and misoprostol is the most effective.
Hall hopes her colleagues can, “feel steadfast in the work that we are doing, understanding that by making sure abortion care is accessible, we are providing comprehensive and compassionate care.” Hall stated that essential health care should be available to all patients.
Availability was expanded by the 2016 and 2021 regulations, which allowed access of mifepristone through the mail, and for prescriptions to be given by providers other than physicians. This is vital because many communities, especially those that are marginalized, often struggle to access proper health care.
Especially following the ruling, Hall believes that providers should advocate for the medication and make sure patients have the appropriate information. Additionally, Hall noted that the battle for abortion care is not over.
Following Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, many reproductive health care decisions have been made by the states. This highlights the importance of providers and patients remaining knowledgeable about the changes in their local environments. Finally, physicians should make an effort to provide evidence-based care to their patients.
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