U.S. Supreme Court and Mifepristone Review

The U.S. Supreme Court reentered the abortion debate, agreeing to review a lower court decision that would make mifepristone, the commonly used abortion pill, less accessible. The court's action sets up a collision between the Food and Drug Administration's 23-year study and supervision of the abortion pill, and the circumstances under which it can be prescribed. Mifepristone was first approved by the FDA in 2000; the agency required the drug to be prescribed in person, over three visits to a doctor. Since 2016, however, the FDA has eased that regimen, allowing patients to obtain prescriptions through telemedicine appointments, and to get the drug by mail. The clash over the abortion pill began April 7 in Texas when U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a onetime anti-abortion activist, imposed a nationwide ban on mifepristone, declaring that the FDA had improperly approved the drug 23 years ago. Within minutes of that decision, U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice in Washington state issued a contrary ruling. In a case brought by 17 states and the District of Columbia seeking to expand the use of mifepristone, Rice declared that the current FDA rules must remain in place, and noted that in 2015 the agency had approved a change in the dosing regimen that allowed the drug to be used for up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, instead of the earlier seven weeks.

The ______ argues they have the authority to bring the case because 'FDA always envisioned that emergency room doctors would be a crucial component of the mifepristone regimen.' Because they would suffer if they have to treat patients who have taken medication abortion, they argue they should have the right to challenge the medication's safety.

The ______ administration counters that the group failed to show 'any evidence of injury from the availability' of the medication.

______, the maker of abortion pill Mifeprex, is on the government's side. It says the key question in the case is whether courts can 'overrule an agency decision they dislike.' The antiabortion doctors, ______ argues, have no authority to bring the case.

The ______ claims that when the agency made the drugs more accessible, they exceeded their power and regulatory safeguards.

The ______ 'threatens to undermine the FDA's scientific, independent judgment and would reimpose outdated restrictions on access to safe and effective medication abortion,' White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. 'This Administration will continue to stand by FDA's independent approval and regulation of mifepristone as safe and effective.'

The ______ will be heard this term, with a decision likely by summer.

The ______ over the abortion pill began April 7 in Texas when U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a onetime anti-abortion activist, imposed a nationwide ban on mifepristone, declaring that the FDA had improperly approved the drug 23 years ago.

Since 2016, however, the ______ has eased that regimen, allowing patients to obtain prescriptions through telemedicine appointments, and to get the drug by mail.

The ______ sets up a collision between the Food and Drug Administration's 23-year study and supervision of the abortion pill, and the circumstances under which it can be prescribed.

The ______ required the drug to be prescribed in person, over three visits to a doctor.

True or false: The clash over the abortion pill began in Texas on April 7, 2023?

True or false: The FDA has eased the regimen of obtaining prescriptions for mifepristone since 2016?

True or false: U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk imposed a nationwide ban on mifepristone, declaring that the FDA had properly approved the drug 23 years ago?

True or false: U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice in Washington state issued a ruling seeking to expand the use of mifepristone?

True or false: The Biden administration argues that the group challenging the FDA failed to show any evidence of injury from the availability of the medication?

True or false: The maker of abortion pill Mifeprex, Danco, is against the government's side in the case?

True or false: The FDA required the abortion pill to be prescribed in person, over three visits to a doctor?

True or false: The clash over the abortion pill began in Texas when U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk imposed a nationwide ban on mifepristone?

True or false: The Fifth Circuit's decision threatens to undermine the FDA's scientific, independent judgment?

True or false: The case will be heard this term, with a decision likely by summer?