Temporary stay on Mifepristone block doesn't go far enough

April 14, 2023

Earlier this afternoon the Supreme Court of the United States temporarily blocked a decision issued by the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas on April 7^th that would essentially overturn the FDA approval of mifepristone. Mifepristone is one of two medications used for medication abortion. It was approved by the FDA more than 20 years ago and has been proven to be a safe and reliable component for a medication option for abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. The Supreme Court’s stay lasts only until April 19^th.

While Every Body Texas condemns the lower court’s decision to block mifepristone, it is also clear that the Supreme Court’s five-day stay is insufficient and only adds to the confusion for the millions of people who need reliable access to this safe and effective medication.

Every Body Texas does not provide or fund abortion care, however, we believe that abortion is important medical care that must be available to any person who can become pregnant. Last December the same judge who ruled in this case, Judge Matthew Kaczmarek, also moved to block teen access to contraception without parental consent in Title X clinics. Another judge in the same district court recently ruled against key provisions of the Affordable Care Act that requires employer-sponsored health plans to cover medication that prevent HIV infection and to fund preventive care screenings.

These recent rulings are the latest in a clear and strategic effort to dismantle access to basic, essential, lifesaving sexual and reproductive healthcare, not only for the people of Texas but for all Americans.

At Every Body Texas we believe that access to safe, high-quality, unbiased sexual and reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right for all people. We oppose any attack on sexual and reproductive healthcare – be it abortion care, contraception, or preventive treatment for HIV. This past year has made it clear that the forces that want to end access to abortion are the same forces that would block other safe and effective forms of sexual and reproductive healthcare. Abortion care is healthcare.