Supreme Court Decides to Throw Out Legal Challenge to Mifepristone

Today, the Supreme Court decided to throw out the challenge to the abortion pill mifepristone. In response to the unanimous opinion held by Justice Kavanaugh that the plaintiffs lack the legal right to challenge the FDA’s actions regarding the regulation of the drug, Dr. Regina Davis Moss, President and CEO of In Our Own Voice, released the following statement:

“While the Supreme Court’s decision to reject a challenge to the abortion pill mifepristone is a relief, this case is a reminder of how much our rights continue to hang in the balance. This was a ruling based on standing, not the merits. This is why we need federal protections in place and why our voting power matters. Control of our bodily autonomy should never be left solely to the mercy of the courts. Access to abortion care still remains out of reach for many, especially in states that have restrictive abortion laws and policies. Access to this essential medication is key to controlling our own reproductive futures.

The availability of mifepristone directly impacts our communities. Black women, girls, and gender-expansive people disproportionately experience barriers to reproductive health care, and mifepristone is critical in miscarriage management and uterine fibroids, both of which Black people experience at a higher rate.

It is clear that efforts to restrict abortion pills, and label them controlled substances in states like Louisiana, are also direct attacks on Black communities. That’s why we must keep using our collective power to keep pushing our state and federal representatives to advance Reproductive Justice. This November, we have the opportunity to elect leaders that represent us, fight for our bodily autonomy, and prioritize our safety. Decisions about our reproductive futures are only ours to make.

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In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is a national-state partnership focused on lifting up the voices of Black women leaders at the national and regional levels in our fight to secure Reproductive Justice for all women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. Our eight strategic partners are Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, SisterLove, Inc. SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, The Afiya Center and Women With A Vision.