Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced legislation this week aiming to ban mifepristone, an abortion pill used in over 63% of U.S. abortions. The Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act seeks to revoke the FDA's 26-year approval of the drug and allow women allegedly harmed by it to sue manufacturers.
Key Takeaways
Senator Josh Hawley introduced legislation to ban mifepristone, an abortion pill used in over 63% of U.S. abortions. The bill aims to revoke FDA approval and allow lawsuits against manufacturers.
- Senator Josh Hawley introduces bill to ban mifepristone
- Bill seeks to revoke FDA approval and enable lawsuits against manufacturers
- Planned Parenthood criticizes the bill as unsafe and politically motivated
- Study cited by Hawley claims 11% of women experience serious adverse events, but it is not peer-reviewed
The bill is unlikely to pass, as Hawley would need 60 votes in the Senate. However, influential Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) has expressed support for the effort.
Hawley's legislation cites a study by the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), which claims that nearly 11% of women experience serious adverse events within 45 days following a mifepristone abortion. However, this report is not peer-reviewed, and data scientists have raised concerns about its validity.
The FDA estimates that serious adverse events occur in less than 1% of all medication abortions. Critics argue that Hawley's bill is based on disputed science and could restrict access to a safe medication used by millions since 2000.
Planned Parenthood officials in Colorado have criticized the legislation, calling it 'built on false claims' and arguing that mifepristone is safer than many over-the-counter medications. Sarah Taylor-Nanista, executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes Colorado, stated in a fundraising email that the bill aims to shut down abortion access rather than address safety concerns.
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