Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has aligned herself with a group of 24 attorneys general from various states to champion continued access to medication abortion across the country. Specifically, the multistate coalition has submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court. Their intention is to back the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) and Danco Laboratories LLC’s efforts to overturn a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. This decision had reinstated certain restrictions on mifepristone, a medication previously unburdened by these constraints.
Mifepristone’s Role and the Coalition’s Argument
Mifepristone stands as the sole FDA-approved abortion medication. However, the coalition believes that the Fifth Circuit’s decision has the potential to drastically impact reproductive health outcomes. They emphasize that this could disproportionately affect low-income and underserved populations.
“It is critical that patients be able to access evidence-based reproductive care, including FDA-approved mifepristone. I am proud to join this multistate coalition in supporting the FDA’s independent, scientific decisions permitting appropriate access to mifepristone, which plays a crucial role in advancing bodily autonomy and the right to choose for all.”
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell
The Crux of the Matter
The coalition’s main contention is that the Fifth Circuit’s judgment overlooks long-standing evidence and research proving the safety and efficacy of mifepristone. They urge the Supreme Court to not only consider the FDA’s and drugmaker’s petitions but also to reverse the Fifth Circuit’s decision on how mifepristone can be prescribed and dispensed.
Wider Implications of the Mifepristone Decision
If the Fifth Circuit’s verdict is allowed to stand, the coalition warns of severe repercussions. This could challenge access to a common abortion method and affect numerous individuals needing abortion care or managing pregnancy loss. Additionally, it could increase the number of individuals resorting to procedural abortion, delay these procedures, escalate risks and costs, and even prevent many from accessing reproductive health care. Furthermore, the decision could sow confusion among medical providers, distributors, pharmacies, and disrupt the drug approval process, hampering scientific advancements and the availability of multiple drugs across the country.
AG Campbell’s Stance on Reproductive Care
During times of intense national scrutiny on reproductive care, AG Campbell has consistently upheld Massachusetts as a stalwart of reproductive justice. Recently, she launched a Reproductive Justice Unit aimed at expanding and safeguarding reproductive and gender-affirming care, bridging maternal health disparities, combating misinformation, collaborating with other states on national reproductive health challenges, and advocating for Massachusetts’ robust reproductive rights protections.
Broad Support for the Cause
Joining AG Campbell in this endeavor are the attorneys general of several states including Arizona, California, Colorado, and others, as well as the District of Columbia.
Xylo News 