Bauer comments on U.S. Supreme Court hearing case on access to mifepristone

Today, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA. This case seeks to challenge FDA approval of the drug mifepristone, which is commonly used for medical abortions and in miscarriage management.

State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D – South Bend) issued the following statement: 

“Access to the drug mifepristone is essential to the health and safety of women. This case is yet another example of anti-choice groups acting as medical professionals to bar women from accessing medically necessary healthcare.

“While mifepristone is commonly used for abortions in states where that is still legal, it is also necessary medicine used in miscarriage management. According to Mayo Clinic, up to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriages. We heard from Hoosier women during the 2022 special session to ban abortion who stated they would be hesitant to try to start a family in a state that would withhold access to medically necessary treatment. 

“The FDA gave regulatory approval to mifepristone in 2000, and has called the drug safe and effective. When women are denied half of the recommended two-drug protocol, the traumatic experience of having a miscarriage can be drawn out for months, and one in four cases result in surgery. Families mourning this loss will have their grief doubled. Women going through the physical and emotional pain of losing a pregnancy to miscarriage will have their suffering prolonged - both physically and mentally.

“The case against this drug is not based on science. This treatment has been used for decades and has a safety rate higher than Tylenol. I sincerely hope that access to this essential medicine will be protected and not end up another casualty of this crusade against women’s health.”