Health Info, Policy Updates, Press Releases
Relief in Supreme Court Ruling on Mifepristone Case
June 13, 2024
The Supreme Court ruled that the plaintiffs do not have standing in the case and the FDA regulations will remain unchanged.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Today, June 13th 2024, the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine et al. v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The case is about decisions made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016 and 2021 that increased access to mifepristone, one drug in the two-drug regimen commonly used for medication abortions in the United States. The Supreme Court ruled that the plaintiffs do not have standing in the case and the FDA regulations will remain unchanged.
The plaintiffs in this case are the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Pediatricians, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, and four doctors. Standing refers to whether the group challenging the law faces harm and thus can sue. The ruling affirms that the groups were not negatively affected by the FDA decisions in the past and cannot reasonably expect to be injured in the future.
The Network is relieved that the Supreme Court did not decide today to roll back access to mifepristone or undermine the FDA’s authority. However, the decision still invites the opportunity for a future case to be brought by other groups that may have more obvious standing. Access to safe, legal abortion— medication abortion and surgical abortion— will remain threatened as long as Congress fails to pass legislation upholding the right to bodily autonomy. The National Women’s Health Network will continue to advocate for nationwide abortion access and the rights of all women to quality health care.
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The National Women’s Health Network, a 501c3 not for profit, represents the health interests of women across the life continuum with an intersectional focus on sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, and the health and well-being of aging women. We work to improve women’s health outcomes through state and federal advocacy, consumer health education, and grassroots technical assistance initiatives. For more information about or programs, services and initiatives and how to donate, visit www.nwhn.org.
