After recent ruling by federal judge to remove the drug from shelves

Governor Gavin Newsom of California has responded to a conservative Texas judge’s ruling that makes it challenging to get Mifepristone. California has obtained a reserve of two million Misoprostol pills to counter this. [i]

These pills are safe and effective abortion drugs. Already, over 250,000 of these pills have arrived in California. The State has revealed the purchase agreement terms to all states in the Reproductive Freedom Alliance. This enables them to get the drugs at a low cost. [i]

Governor Newsom of California has taken steps to secure the availability of alternative abortion drugs. This ensures that Californians can access safe reproductive health treatments. Furthermore, it preserves the legality of medication abortions. [ii]

California has taken action in response to the Texas ruling. They have purchased Misoprostol and informed Medi-Cal providers of reimbursement. They have reminded health plans of California statute and updated the abortion.ca.gov website. Lastly, they are collaborating with other states through the Reproductive Freedom Alliance. [ii]

The four top officials in California – Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom – all applauded Governor Newsom for his speedy response to make sure that people in and coming to the state could still access safe abortions. [iii]

They expressed their gratitude for his commitment to defending and expanding reproductive rights. They emphasized the importance of taking prompt action to ensure the state has the necessary medication for abortions. [iii]

In September 2022, Governor Newsom signed a budget and legislative package. This package invested over $200 million to protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care. It allocated $40 million to cover provider costs and an additional $20 million for an “Abortion Practical Support Fund.” [iv]

Governor Newsom recently formed the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, a nonpartisan coalition. Its mission is to protect and expand access to reproductive health care. This includes access to abortion. The Alliance facilitates coordination across reproductive freedom states to preserve and expand access to reproductive care. [v]

Governor Newsom reacted to a ruling by a federal judge, Judge Kacsmaryk. Kacsmaryk has far-right beliefs. The verdict was that Mifepristone, a drug used for abortion care, should not be sold in nationwide pharmacies. [vi]

Governor Newsom labeled the decision as “extremist.” This decision disregards facts, science, and the law, which puts the safety of women and girls at risk. He reassured Californians that abortion is still legal and available. He also promised not to let anyone take away their fundamental rights. [vi]

Medication abortion has been a dependable, cost-friendly, and accessible way for individuals to receive abortion care for years. The FDA first endorsed Mifepristone in 2000, which is taken with Misoprostol to induce a safe abortion. [vii]

The two-drug approach has become the standard of care in more than half of abortions in the US. This approach has been widely used. People needing to learn more about abortion care in California can go to abortion.ca.gov. [vii]

The Justice Department strongly disagreed with the District Court ruling in the case of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA. This ruling was made in the Northern District of Texas. They will be appealing the decision and requesting a delay in its implementation. [viii]

This ruling contradicts the FDA’s assessment of mifepristone. It was established over twenty years ago. The FDA believes mifepristone is safe and effective. The Department is determined to protect the FDA’s decision. [viii]

The Department of Justice is investigating the ruling of Washington et al. v. FDA. This ruling is related to Americans’ access to legally available reproductive services. [viii]

References

[i] Office of Governor Gavin Newsom,California Announces Emergency Stockpile of Abortion medication, Defending Against Extreme Texas Court Ruling(Apr. 10, 2023)

[ii]Id.

[iii]Id.

[iv] Office of Governor Gavin Newsom,New Protections for People Who Need Abortion Care and Birth Control(Sep. 27, 2022)

[v] Office of Governor Gavin Newsom,Twenty-One States Announce Historic Governor-Led Reproductive Freedom Alliance(Feb. 21, 2023)

[vi] Office of Governor Gavin Newsom,Governor Newsom Statement on Texas Judge Restricting Access to medication Abortion(Apr. 7, 2023)

[vii]Id.

[viii] The United States Department of Justice,Statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland(Apr. 7, 2023)