Reproductive Equity Now Breathes ‘Temporary Sigh of Relief’ After Supreme Court Upholds Stay in Mifepristone Case
Nothing changes for mifepristone access as case is appealed
BOSTON (April 21, 2023) – The Supreme Court of the United States ruled today to uphold the stay in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. United States Food and Drug Administration, ensuring that mifepristone access remains unchanged as the case is appealed through the courts. Reproductive Equity Now President Rebecca Hart Holder released the following statement in response to tonight’s Supreme Court decision:
“Today’s decision from the Supreme Court to uphold the stay on mifepristone allows us to breathe a temporary sigh of relief. As this case goes through the appeals process, millions of people will be able to continue to access mifepristone in states where abortion remains legal,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now. “However, we need to be clear-eyed that this is not the end of our battle to protect medication abortion access nationwide. We know that anti-abortion extremists will stop at nothing in their pursuit of a national abortion ban, and time and time again, we have seen that the courts are not on the side of reproductive freedom. Every day that preserves abortion access is a good day, but the fight continues.”
Earlier this month, at Governor Maura Healey’s request, the University of Massachusetts Amherst purchased approximately 15,000 doses of mifepristone to ensure sufficient coverage in the state for more than a year. Health care providers in Massachusetts have also agreed to purchase additional quantities to make available for patients. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has dedicated $1 million to support providers contracted with the Department of Public Health with paying for these doses.
Reproductive Equity Now—in partnership with Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, the Women’s Bar Foundation, the ACLU of MA, and five law firms throughout Massachusetts—launched the Abortion Legal Hotline in January to connect patients, providers, and helpers with pro bono legal advice on their rights to obtain, offer, or support abortion access in the state. Those interested in being connected with pro bono attorneys can call or Signal message the Hotline at (833) 309-6301.
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