Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic Responds to District Court Decision in Texas Mifepristone Case

ELMSFORD, NY, N.Y. - April 11, 2023 - PRLog -- On Friday, a federal judge in Texas in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine et al v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration et al blocked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of mifepristone, threatening the 22-year approval of one of two medications used in the most common medication abortion regimen in the United States. However, the judge also stayed the decision to give the federal government seven days to seek relief on appeal, which means that for now, approval of mifepristone remains protected in New York.

In a separate ruling, a federal judge in Washington issued a preliminary injunction in a mifepristone case brought by 18 Attorneys General. While much remains unclear on the effects of these two rulings, for now, approval of mifepristone remains protected.

"The ruling from Texas could severely undermine access to abortion in New York, access that New Yorkers have made clear is necessary," said Vincent Russell, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP). "Anti-abortion activists are not satisfied with overturning Roe v. Wade or allowing states to ban abortion — they want to strip New Yorkers and people nationwide of their rights. Everyone should have the ability to make decisions about their own reproductive lives and futures, without political interference."

"Mifepristone is safe, effective, and has been used by more than 5 million people in the U.S. since the FDA approved it more than 20 years ago, but it is not the only method of medication abortion available," said Dr. Meera Shah, Chief Medical Officer of PPHP. "Regardless of how these cases are decided, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic is dedicated to offering its patients the full range of abortion services, including in-clinic abortion and medication abortion with safe, evidence-based, effective methods."

Medication abortion, often called the "abortion pill," allows people a more private option to end an early pregnancy at home or wherever they feel most comfortable, while still getting necessary medical support and information. Medication abortions make up roughly half of all abortions in the U.S.  They allow patients to manage their abortion safely, on their own terms, and has helped improve and expand access to abortion care. For more information on abortion care at PPHP, visit pphp.org.
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Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) provides sexual and reproductive health care in 10 health centers and two mobile health centers in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Suffolk counties. PPHP has served the community for 90 years and is dedicated to educating and empowering individuals to make responsible choices regarding their sexuality and sexual health. For more information about PPHP, visit www.pphp.org.