An appeals court blocked mail-order abortion pills nationwide—even in Democratic states—on Friday. The ruling takes effect immediately but is expected to be reviewed soon by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Pro-Life victory means that all abortions in the U.S. will once again require an in-person appointment, rather than abortionists sending pills by mail. This important safeguard was removed by Joe Biden’s Food and Drug Administration in 2023, prompting a lawsuit from Louisiana.
If the Supreme Court upholds the Pro-Life ruling, it could save thousands of babies and protect vulnerable women.
Democratic states that allow abortion up to birth will have to enforce another step before dispensing the deadly pills. Pro-Life states like Texas that ban abortion will also see an impact. Over the last few years, abortionists in liberal regions illegally mailed the drugs to homes and dorm rooms all over the country. But with stronger FDA regulations, these activists can’t rely on pro-abortion “Shield laws” to hide from accountability. They could lose their licenses, face huge fines, and risk criminal penalties.
However, without more action from the federal government, abortion groups will depend on pharmacists in other countries to keep sending these deadly drugs.
Texas Right to Life President Dr. John Seago responded:
“Today’s ruling is a victory, but it’s the bare minimum. Abortion pills, shipped from liberal states and other countries, are the biggest threat to preborn children. We have to keep fighting until all babies and their mothers are protected from the violence of abortion in every form.”
Abortion pills have become the most common method of killing preborn children, making up more than half of the 1.1 million abortions in America.
Chemical abortions involve two drugs: the first, mifepristone, kills the baby by starving him or her to death, and the second, misoprostol, causes the woman to deliver the deceased child. The pills are approved by the FDA to be used up to 10 weeks. By that stage in pregnancy, the baby has her own unique DNA; her heart starts beating; her eyes, legs, and hands begin to develop; she has detectable brain waves; and every major organ system is in place.
Plus, restoring the rule for in-person exams is common sense. Without an in-person appointment, doctors cannot tell if the mother has an ectopic pregnancy or other conditions that could be life-threatening if untreated. A recent study found that over 1 in 10 women who attempt a chemical abortion face severe medical complications—this is 22 times more dangerous than the FDA currently reports. Even then, this number may not capture the full damage.
The FDA admitted they likely did not follow safety protocols in approving abortion drugs. They later promised to perform a new review of the pills, but their timeline in doing so is unknown.
The in-person safeguard that the court restored on Friday is helpful, but America needs the federal government to do more to completely end the legalized killing of babies in the womb.
Thank you for reading this story! If you support our Pro-Life ministry, chip in with a life-saving gift today!
