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Nationally, medication abortions in 2023 made up nearly two in every three abortions, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.
DENVER — Nearly two years after Roe was overturned, the future of a popular medication abortion medication, Mifepristone, will be in the hands of the nation’s top court on Tuesday.
The decision comes at a time when demand for abortion care is rising. Despite many states enacting bans or limits to abortion care, in 2023 the United States hit its highest number of abortions in more than a decade, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.
“It is incredibly frustrating to think about the impacts that this will have to patients,” said Claudia Perez, Colorado public affairs manager with Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
Perez said this court challenge to a medication that has been proven to be safe and effective for more than 20 years is political and is concerning.
“This case and its purpose, which is to hurt patients, limit options, stigmatize abortion care and reverse a decision that has been in effect for 20 years is devastating. We know Mifepristone is safe,” Perez said. “We are mad about this case and the pending decision and what that could mean for our patients and providers.”
Since its approval by the FDA in 2000, more than 5.9 million women have used Mifepristone.
Often, it’s used to treat miscarriages.
Nationally, medication abortions in 2023 made up nearly two in every three abortions, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.
Here in Colorado, that number is even higher.
“About 70% of patients receiving care at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains are doing so with medication abortion. And this attack is going to disrupt the standard of care at our health centers,” Perez said.
If the Supreme Court takes action to ban or limit its use, Perez said that will impact care in states even where abortion is legal, like Colorado.
Changes could be necessary.
“If this decision comes out the way we anticipate it will, our providers will be able to adjust to a Misoprostol-only care for abortion patients,” Perez said. “But we don’t know what that’s going to look like for other providers. And we are worried to see what the impact is going to be but we know that this has nothing to do with scientific data or research.”
Now, Perez said all they can do is watch and wait on the Supreme Court’s next move.
Until then, she said whether women are making the trip in from Texas or the drive from Denver, they’ll continue treating those coming through their doors with the best care they can.
“And we will continue to offer safe, effective medication abortion in Colorado and at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains regardless of what this decision holds,” Perez said.
Oral arguments to determine the future of the abortion drug begin Tuesday in front of the Supreme Court. A decision is expected this summer.
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