Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Biden Issues Memo On Access To Medical Abortion Drug

 On January 22, President Biden issued a Memorandum on Further Efforts to Protect Access to Reproductive Healthcare Services (full text).   It provides in part:

My Administration remains committed to supporting safe access to mifepristone, consistent with applicable law, and defending women’s fundamental freedoms.  Defending and protecting reproductive rights is essential to our Nation’s health, safety, and progress.  It is the policy of my Administration to protect against threats to the liberty and autonomy of those who live in this country.

Sec. 2.  Continuing to Protect Access to FDA-Approved Medication.  In light of recent developments and consistent with Executive Order 14076, within 60 days of the date of this memorandum:

     (a)  The Secretary of HHS, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall consider:

(i)   issuing guidance for patients seeking legal access to mifepristone, as well as for providers and entities, including pharmacies, that provide reproductive healthcare and seek to legally prescribe and provide mifepristone; and

(ii)  any further actions, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to educate individuals on their ability to seek legal reproductive care, free from threats or violence.