Reproductive Rights, Health, and Justice Groups Call On Biden-Harris Administration To Expand Access to Medication Abortion

WASHINGTON — Today, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) joined a coalition of 55 reproductive rights, health, and justice groups to send a letter calling on the Biden-Harris administration to take immediate steps to increase patient access to medication abortion by removing medically unnecessary federal restrictions on mifepristone — one of two medications used in medication abortion. Over 200,000 supporters joined the urgent call by signing petitions to the administration.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) current Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) restrictions on mifepristone mandate that patients pick up the medication directly from a doctor’s office, hospital, or health center, rather than from a pharmacy or by mail, as allowed for other equally safe medications. During the pandemic, this unnecessary in-person interaction can expose patients to needless COVID-19 risks related to transportation, child care, multiple health center trips, and more. 

The letter and petitions call for immediate suspension of the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone during the pandemic, and for a comprehensive review of the full set of restrictions — to ensure unnecessary barriers are not reinstalled after the pandemic is behind us. 

Statement from Jacqueline Ayers, vice president, government relations & public policy, Planned Parenthood Federation of America: 

“The science has long shown the decades-old restrictions on mifepristone are medically unnecessary. Now people are also forced to further risk COVID-19 exposure in order to access safe, legal medication abortion. These requirements serve only to create more barriers to care, especially for people of color, people in rural areas, and people with low incomes. The patients harmed are the most vulnerable — those already suffering from higher rates of illness, death, and economic hardship due to COVID-19. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is proud to join with allies and people all across this country to ensure all patients can access the essential health care they need — during the pandemic and beyond.”

Mifepristone is safe, effective, and has been used by more than 4 million people since the FDA approved it 20 years ago. Leading medical associations, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Academy of Family Physicians, have maintained that the FDA’s long-standing restrictions on mifepristone are not based on medical evidence and do not benefit patients. In fact, out of 20,000 prescription medications regulated by the FDA, mifepristone is the only one FDA requires to be dispensed in person, despite permitting patients to self-administer at home.

A full list of signatories to the letter can be found below:

American Civil Liberties Union

EMAA Project

Advocates for Youth

All* Above All

American Medical Student Association

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)

Catholics for Choice

Center for Reproductive Rights

CHANGE (Center for Health and Gender Equity)

Community Catalyst

Hey Jane

Ibis Reproductive Health

If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice

In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda

International Women's Health Coalition

Ipas

Jacobs Institute of Women's Health

Jewish Women International

Just The Pill

Lawyering Project

Medical Students for Choice

MomsRising

NARAL Pro-Choice America

NASTAD

National Abortion Federation

National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF)

National Center for Lesbian Rights

National Council of Jewish Women

National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association

National Health Law Program

National Institute for Reproductive Health

National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice

National Network of Abortion Funds

National Organization for Women

National Partnership for Women & Families

National Women's Health Network

National Women's Law Center

Not Without Black Women

Our Justice

PAI

Physicians for Reproductive Health

Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Population Connection Action Fund

Population Institute

Power to Decide

Raising Women's Voices

SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health

Union for Reform Judaism

UnRestrict Minnesota

URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity

VA NOW, Inc

We Testify

Women of Reform Judaism

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.