Attorney General James Releases Statement on Decision to Restrict Access to Medication Abortion

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the below statement after the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas ordered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to stay its decades-old approval of mifepristone for use in medication abortion. The court stayed its decision for seven days to give the federal government an opportunity to appeal.

“Today’s decision blatantly disregards decades of medical research for politically motivated reasons that will jeopardize the health of millions of people nationwide. Restricting access to safe and effective medication is a dangerous attack on reproductive freedom, public health, and scientific integrity.

“Let me be clear: abortion continues to be legal in New York and New York will remain a safe haven for anyone seeking abortion care. The fight for reproductive justice is not over. New York will continue to do everything within its power to protect reproductive rights, because it should always be your body, and your choice.”

Abortion is still legal in New York and is protected under state law. Mifepristone was approved by the FDA more than 20 years ago. It is used for abortion care and to treat other health issues, such as miscarriages and gastric ulcers. More than half of abortions in the U.S. are conducted through medication abortion. Last November, a coalition of anti-abortion groups sued the FDA and asked the court to order the agency to rescind or suspend its approval of mifepristone. Last month, Attorney General James led a multistate coalition in filing an amicus brief in this case to defend and protect access to medication abortion.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Attorney General James, national law firms, and reproductive rights organizations launched a hotline to offer free legal guidance on reproductive health care for individuals and providers. To get legal assistance, call the New York abortion rights legal hotline (212) 899-5567 to know your rights.

Attorney General James has been a national leader in protecting access to reproductive health care. In February, Attorney General James and a coalition of attorneys general sent a letter to CVS and Walgreens supporting their decision to offer medication abortion after a group of anti-abortion states wrote a letter to the companies warning of legal repercussions. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to end Roe v. Wade, Attorney General James launched a pro bono legal hotline to provide legal support to patients and health care providers nationwide. Attorney General James has also supported state legislation to provide funds to abortion providers in New York and called for an amendment to the state constitution to ensure the right to an abortion. Attorney General James has helped lead a coalition of attorneys general to defend abortion access in IdahoTexasArizonaIndiana, and Mississippi.