HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Statement on Court Rulings on Mifepristone

Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra released the following statement on the Texas district court’s decision in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA:

“This is a regressive ruling issued by a single court in a single state that will have a disastrous impact on women and families across America if not overturned. Mifepristone was approved by the FDA as safe and effective to manage abortion decades ago and has been approved by drug regulators around the globe. Today’s decision jeopardizes the health of women across the country. It undermines our nation’s entire system of drug approval. It opens the door for courts to overturn FDA’s evidence-based decisions for purely political or ideological reasons.

“Today’s ruling affects more than just access to abortion care. Some physicians use mifepristone for miscarriage management, which can be one of the most difficult times in a woman’s life.

“We will vigorously fight this unprecedented decision in court. We have appealed the decision and will seek a stay. The Texas district court's ruling does not take effect for seven days, so mifepristone remains approved and available for the time being while we pursue our appeal. Separately, another temporary order issued today in Washington State seeks to maintain access to mifepristone by directing the FDA not to take action to alter the status quo as it relates to the availability of mifepristone under the REMS in certain states. We are reviewing that decision.”