Jackson: ‘We were all made aware that women’s health would become the collateral damage in this culture war’

Across the nation, women seeking medical assistance for miscarriage management are being denied the best available care recommended by doctors. Following the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022, access to the drug mifepristone came into question as it is commonly used for medical abortions in addition to miscarriages. For states like Indiana, women are experiencing the repercussions of the GOP near-total abortion ban as they are only receiving the second drug in the recommended two-drug protocol, misoprostol, which is far less effective when taken alone.

“This is what happens when legislators act as medical professionals and decide to ban effective, necessary treatment,” State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) said. “We were all made aware that women’s health would become the collateral damage in this culture war, but the hours of testimony from licensed professionals was no match for Republican apathy towards the lives and health of women. 

“Now, Hoosier women experiencing the devastation of a miscarriage are being given treatment that is half as effective as the recommended protocol. The result of taking misoprostol without mifepristone when miscarrying can cause the already painful and tragic experience to last for months, with one out of four cases requiring a follow up surgery. 

“Mifepristone is a tried-and-true drug for miscarriage management. However, it has been condemned in the crusade against women’s health care, and women are suffering as a result.”