This year, as we marked the second anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision that stripped away our federal constitutional right to abortion, we found ourselves amidst another high-stakes court season where reproductive freedom faced significant threats at the federal level. These ongoing legal battles have exacerbated barriers to essential reproductive health care, leaving many people grappling with increased uncertainty, fear, and confusion about how to get the care they need.
Mifepristone: The Fight Continues
The Supreme Court ruled that a group of anti-abortion physicians does not have standing to challenge the FDA’s actions related to the approval of mifepristone. Mifepristone will remain on the market and accessible in states where abortion is legal. However, this attack on medication abortion could continue, as the case will be sent back down to federal district court judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who has already allowed the states of Kansas, Missouri, and Idaho to intervene in the case.
Mifepristone is safe, effective, and has been used by over five million people in the United States for abortion and miscarriage care since the FDA approved it more than 20 years ago. Lawmakers and judges are not more qualified than you and your health care provider to make your own personal health care decisions.
Our health centers continue to provide medication abortion and are expanding our medication abortion telehealth program to meet the needs of our patients. From April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, medication abortion accounted for 66% of all abortion care at PPSNE, further proving the need for medication abortion to be widely accessible so our patients can make the best decisions for their lives and futures.
EMTALA: Appeal Dismissed, We Remain Vigilant
For nearly six months, as a direct result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s actions, Idahoans were denied access to emergency abortion care. While access to emergency abortion care has been restored in Idaho for now, the court had the opportunity to make clear that the federal EMTALA law protects pregnant patients’ access to emergency abortion care in every state. Instead, the court has kicked the can down the road, leaving access to emergency care for pregnant people across the country under threat, further fueling the ongoing public health crisis sparked by the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
For nearly 40 years, EMTALA has guaranteed access to emergency medical treatment, including abortion. Post-Roe, over 20 states have severely restricted or banned abortion, creating conflicts with EMTALA and forcing providers to navigate complex legal scenarios during emergencies.
At Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, we remain resolute in our mission to provide compassionate care despite these attacks. Our unwavering commitment to our community's health and well-being means our doors remain open, offering comprehensive reproductive health care, including contraception, cancer screenings, STI testing, abortion care, and more. We never stop fighting for the respect and protection of your rights and personal health care decisions. Your support is crucial as we navigate these challenging times and advocate for a future where reproductive freedom is a reality for all.
Tags: Supreme Court, SCOTUS, MIFE