What Pandemic? The SCOTUS Decision Endangering Abortion Seekers

Back in October, the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) had the opportunity to reinstate a policy requiring folks seeking abortions to go to a clinic to pick up abortion pills, and they didn't take it.  This was a victory for people needing abortion care, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the fact that abortion pills are safe and effective to take on one's own. However, on January 21, 2021, SCOTUS decided to reinstate the policy.

With the appointment of conservative  Justice Amy Coney Barrett, it's not a total surprise that the court is backtracking, but the fact remains that asking people to make an utterly unnecessary trip to a clinic to pick up a single pill and sign a form is not only ridiculous, it's dangerous. We know that COVID-19 has been disproportionately impacting people of color and low income people, who are also the folks most adversely affected by abortion restrictions such as waiting periods. This SCOTUS decision not only directly endangers those forced to travel during a time when people are being advised to stay at home, but it perpetuates the false idea that abortion pills are dangerous, and therefore a health care provider must control the acquisition of them. What also doesn't help to destigmatize abortion pills is the fact that out of all the drugs the FDA precides over, mifepristone is the only one that's required to be picked up.

In actuality, it's more vital than ever to squash abortion stigma and wrong information about abortion pills during a pandemic, because that's precisely the time when, more than ever, folks are looking for a way to end unintended pregnancies in a manner that doesn't necessitate travel. Forcing people to go to a clinic is also perilous for people who are in a dangerous situation at home, and can't let their abusive partner/family member  know that they're pregnant and seeking to terminate. Abortion pills instigate a process that's similar to a natural miscarriage, so being able to take them at home may be essential to staying safe.

Don't fall for the hype: abortion pills are extremely safe and effective for terminating early pregnancy, and while there are important instructions to follow, you don't need to be supervised in any way to take them. You can use either the mifepristone and misoprostol combination (95-98% effective when taken correctly), or misoprostol by itself (84% effective). For more information on how the pills work, if they might be right for you, and more, visit our website's FAQ section.