On Friday, a federal judge in Texas ordered the suspension of the abortion medicine mifepristone, approved by regulators 23 years ago and has since become one of the most commonly used abortion techniques in the country.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ordered that the FDA’s approval of mifepristone should be halted. The verdict is on hold for seven days so the federal government can file an appeal.
Abortion Medicine Mifepristone Has Been Suspended
Kacsmaryk’s injunction did not require the FDA to rescind or halt its approval of mifepristone, as a coalition of anti-abortion rights physician societies had requested. Such a move by Kacsmaryk, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, would have undoubtedly disrupted access to medicine for millions of women across the country, including in areas where abortion is allowed.
On Friday, a federal judge in Texas ordered the suspension of mifepristone, an abortion medication that was approved by regulators 23 years ago and has since become one of the most routinely used abortion procedures in the country.
Following Kacsmaryk’s decision, a federal judge in Washington state delivered a decision in a separate mifepristone lawsuit that preliminarily barred the Biden administration from changing the status quo on the drug’s availability. The two dueling orders set up a high-stakes fight that will almost certainly end up before the Supreme Court.
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Access Restrictions And Difficulties
The challenge against abortion medication is the latest attempt by anti-abortion rights activists to restrict access. Aside from abortion bans based on gestational age and procedure, Republican-led states have also passed legislation restricting medicinal abortion.
Medication abortion limitations are superseded in 12 states by near-total abortion bans, while 15 states require medication abortion to be performed by a physician. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research body that promotes abortion rights, the patient must undergo an in-person appointment with a medical practitioner in six states.