The National Women’s Law Center has joined various amicus briefs, alongside reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations, as well as other organizations with a strong interest in access to reproductive care, against restrictions or bans on mifepristone in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, et al., v. U.S. Food & Drug Administration, et al. We urge the Supreme Court to reverse the dangerous decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that would undercut the FDA’s expertise and significantly restrict access to mifepristone, one of the medications in a two-drug protocol that is now used in over half of all abortions in the country. As these briefs explained, mifepristone is safe, effective, widely used, and has been critical to filling the gaps in abortion care for the most underserved communities. These briefs also debunked false assertions about mifepristone that have been used by lower courts to restrict access. These briefs further explained how suspending the FDA’s current approval status of the drug would have immediate and severe consequences to the administrative process and our systems of democracy.
- On January 30, 2024, NWLC joined 237 organizations in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the Biden Administration’s appeal of the Fifth Circuit decision that would significantly restrict access to mifepristone. This decision has the potential to undercut the FDA’s expertise by reimposing former unnecessary and burdensome barriers to accessing mifepristone, such as in-person dispensing requirements and limitations on medical professionals who can become certified prescribers.
- On May 1, 2023, NWLC joined over 200 organizations in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit supporting the Biden Administration’s appeal of Judge Kascmaryk’s decision staying the FDA’s approval of Mifepristone from over two decades ago, blocking access to mifepristone nationwide.
- On April 14, 2023, NWLC joined over 200 organizations in filing an amicus brief in the Supreme Court supporting the Biden Administration’s appeal of the Fifth Circuit’s decision partially upholding Judge Kacsmaryk’s preliminary injunction. This decision would have severely restricted access to mifepristone nationwide.
- On April 11, 2023, NWLC joined over 150 organizations in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit supporting the Biden Administration’s appeal of Judge Kascmaryk’s decision to grant a preliminary injunction, banning nationwide access to mifepristone while the case makes its way through the court.