I know this has been mentioned elsewhere, but I think it deserves its own thread, given the distinct possibility of dire consequences beyond this one drug.
Following judicial rulings over the past week or so, it seems the issue of a mifepristone ban will come before the Supreme Court. Yesterday, Samuel Alito extended a hold on the lower court's ruling, but that's just a temporary reprieve.
A key problem with this case is that the people who brought it before the Texas Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk cited safety concerns, when in reality they only wanted to eliminate this method of medical abortion. Twenty-three years of experience in the U.S., and more in other countries, has shown mifepristone to be safe when used properly.
If the Supreme Court decides to make the ban permanent based on bogus medical grounds, it will undermine the FDA's ability to carry out its mission. Not only will millions of women be denied a safe way to terminate early (up to 70 days following the last menstrual period) pregnancies, it will open the floodgates for objections to other things the FDA regulates. Anti-vaxx groups will try to do the same for COVID-19 and other vaccines, threatening the lives of all Americans. Remember when Republicans railed against so-called "death panels" in Obamacare, which were non-existent? This would be far worse. Here's hoping the Justices will recognize this and act accordingly.
Following judicial rulings over the past week or so, it seems the issue of a mifepristone ban will come before the Supreme Court. Yesterday, Samuel Alito extended a hold on the lower court's ruling, but that's just a temporary reprieve.
A key problem with this case is that the people who brought it before the Texas Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk cited safety concerns, when in reality they only wanted to eliminate this method of medical abortion. Twenty-three years of experience in the U.S., and more in other countries, has shown mifepristone to be safe when used properly.
If the Supreme Court decides to make the ban permanent based on bogus medical grounds, it will undermine the FDA's ability to carry out its mission. Not only will millions of women be denied a safe way to terminate early (up to 70 days following the last menstrual period) pregnancies, it will open the floodgates for objections to other things the FDA regulates. Anti-vaxx groups will try to do the same for COVID-19 and other vaccines, threatening the lives of all Americans. Remember when Republicans railed against so-called "death panels" in Obamacare, which were non-existent? This would be far worse. Here's hoping the Justices will recognize this and act accordingly.
