Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York Reacts to SCOTUS Ruling on Mifepristone

CONTACT: Madeline Donovan
VP of Public and Executive Affairs 585.546.2771, ext. 4242 [email protected]

Rochester, NY – Today, a ruling was released in the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) case, with the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) denying the plaintiff’s request to rescind the FDA’s approval of mifepristone. Mifepristone is one of two medications most commonly used in medication abortion in the United States and was approved for use by the FDA more than 20 years ago.

From the beginning, the Alliance case was a politically motivated attack from extremists seeking to ban abortion nationwide. The removal of mifepristone from the market would present a real threat to people’s ability to access abortion care, which is already out of reach for millions due to the overturning of Roe and states banning abortion. This is compounded for many who face barriers to health care as a result of systemic racism and discrimination.

A ruling for SCOTUS’s Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) cases, Moyle v. United States / Idaho v. United States, is expected later this month. The decision will determine whether EMTALA – a federal law ensuring people in medical emergencies receive the care they need in emergency rooms – requires emergency abortion care without limitation, even in states with abortion bans.

Statement from Michelle Casey, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York (PPCWNY):

Mifepristone is used in more than half of all abortions across the country, and is incredibly safe. There is no medical reason to restrict or ban the use of mifepristone. This case was politically motivated, instigated, and funded by extreme anti-abortion actors to further their agenda to ban abortion, birth control, and other sexual and reproductive health care nationwide.

We at Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York are pleased with the court’s decision and want to emphasize that this case had no standing and should never have made it this far. Had the Alliance ruling gone the other way, it could have further restricted abortion access in a post-Roe United States. It could have also threatened the FDA’s authority over the approval process for medications and patients’ ability to access other FDA-approved meds.

As we breathe a sigh of relief about the Alliance ruling and await the EMTALA decision, I want to reiterate that Planned Parenthood will not stand for the brazen attacks on sexual and reproductive health care. Everyone deserves the right to decide what is best for their bodies, their health, and their lives. We remain committed to doing whatever we can to ensure patients can receive care with as few barriers as possible. No matter what.

###

Parenthood Planned of Central and Western New York protects and provides health care and education that empowers individuals and families. With respect. Without judgment. No matter what. We envision a community where everyone has autonomy over their bodies and choices as a basic human right. We will welcome everyone to enter safely through our doors and leave emotionally and physically healthier.