A Friday ruling by a federal judge threw into uncertainty the decadeslong government approval of a key abortion drug.
This means the drug, mifepristone, could soon no longer be available to people seeking abortion care in the United States. Health care providers could be barred from prescribing the drug, even in states were abortion is legal.
The ruling will take seven days to go into effect, giving the federal government time to appeal. This means that, for now, mifepristone remains available.
(Additionally another, competing court ruling protects the status of mifepristone in some states, setting up a likely Supreme Court battle.)
For people seeking abortions, below are options to consider if mifepristone is soon no longer available.
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In-clinic, procedural abortion care
In-clinic, or procedural, abortion care would not be affected by the ruling. However, abortion access advocates have expressed concerns over how the availability of clinic appointments would be affected.
Ashley Brink, clinic director at the abortion clinic Trust Women Kansas in Wichita, said her clinic has already been overwhelmed by a surge in out-of-state patients since the Supreme Court’s overturn last year of the historic Roe v. Wade ruling that protected abortion rights. Now, she worries the long lines and delays will only worsen if mifepristone is eventually pulled from the market.
People seeking abortion care can find providers in their area online through the Abortion Care Network, the National Abortion Federation or Planned Parenthood.
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Misoprostol-only abortion care
Medication abortion care in the United States typically involves a two-step regimen consisting of mifepristone and the abortion drug misoprostol.
Misoprostol has been used on its own for years for abortions around the world, but studies show it is less effective than the two-step regimen. Still, medical organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the World Health Organization say misoprostol-only abortions are a safe alternative when mifepristone isn’t available.
Some U.S. clinics and telehealth providers also offer misoprostol-only abortions, and more are rushing to do the same. Clinics and telehealth providers are ordering more misoprostol supplies.
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Brink said her team has spent weeks holding staff trainings and updating policies as they prepared to pivot to a misoprostol-only protocol.
“Our manufacturers reassure us that there is plenty of misoprostol. They’re aware of this potential dramatic increase in need,” said Katie McHugh, an OB-GYN and abortion provider who works in Indiana, Ohio and Maryland.
People seeking abortion care can contact their local abortion provider to discuss options and if a misoprostol-only option may work for them.
The national nonprofit If/When/How Lawyering for Reproductive Justice also offers a free legal helpline at (844) 868-2812 for people with questions about their access to abortion care and legal rights.
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Contact Christine Fernando at cfernando@usatoday.com or follow her on Twitter at @christinetfern.