The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case concerning the accessibility of the abortion drug mifepristone, which was initially approved by the FDA but suspended by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in April 2020. The Biden administration and the maker of the drug are appealing to the Supreme Court to reverse the appellate ruling, which would impose restrictions on the drug, even in states where abortion remains legal. This is the first abortion case since the court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, and could have a significant impact on the accessibility of mifepristone and other abortion drugs.
Posts tagged as “the Food and Drug Administration’”
The Supreme Court is expected to make a decision Wednesday on a request by the federal government to immediately block a lower court ruling that would restrict access to the abortion pill mifepristone. The case originated in Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk’s court in Amarillo, Texas, and the outcome of this decision could have a major impact on access to mifepristone and the ability of women to make decisions about their own reproductive health. The Department of Justice has appealed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the appeals court ruling while the justices consider what next steps to take.
A U.S. District Court judge in Texas ruled that the FDA's approval of mifepristone was illegal, sparking a debate over the future of abortion access in the United States. Democrats have called on the Biden administration to ignore the ruling, but the administration has yet to announce what action it will take. The FDA is expected to make a statement soon.
The Biden administration is facing a legal challenge that could restrict access to the leading abortion drug in the U.S. A 19th century “anti-vice” law, the Comstock Act, has been revived by anti-abortion groups and conservative states in an effort to block the mailing of mifepristone. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has said that all options are on the table to ensure access to the drug, including Supreme Court intervention. Pro-choice advocates have criticized the ruling, arguing that it will have a negative impact on women’s health and rights.
A U.S. District Judge appointed by former President Donald Trump has suspended the FDA's approval of abortion pills, sparking outrage among Congressional Democrats. Chuck Schumer has urged Republicans to speak out against the ruling, while President Joe Biden has said his administration will file an appeal. Republicans in Congress have yet to respond to the ruling.
A federal judge in Texas heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could potentially threaten the most common form of abortion in the United States. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk heard arguments from the Alliance Defending Freedom lawyers to revoke or suspend the approval of the abortion medication mifepristone, which has been used by millions of American women for over two decades. Judge Kacsmaryk did not issue a ruling Wednesday, but the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for women’s reproductive rights in the United States.