Augusta, ME – On May 1, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana restricted access to telehealth abortion care nationwide by blocking the provision of the medication abortion pill, Mifepristone, by mail. The ruling required the abortion pill to be distributed in person at clinics. Medication abortion accounts for more than 60 percent of abortions today in the U.S.
On May 4, the U.S. Supreme Court responded to an emergency appeal and temporarily restored telehealth and mail access to Mifepristone, issuing an administrative stay through at least May 11.
Statement from George Hill, President & CEO of Maine Family Planning:
“The Fifth Circuit’s ruling punishes U.S. patients by robbing them of their bodily autonomy, and by limiting their access to essential health care. Attacking access to telehealth abortion care unfairly and disproportionately affects people living in rural areas. Rural Mainers deserve full access to healthcare.
“The court ruling has absolutely nothing to do with mifepristone’s safety, vouched for by over 100 scientific studies, and everything to do with the oppressive beliefs of anti-abortion plaintiffs, and, sadly, the 3-judge panel that ratified their prejudices with this judgment. Mifepristone is safer than common medications like Viagra, Tylenol, or penicillin. It’s also just as safe when provided via telehealth as it is in a clinic.
“Let’s be clear. Telehealth abortion care is still legal, safe, and available at Maine Family Planning’s 18 clinics. Patients should reach out to us if they are concerned about barriers to receiving abortion care.
“In the meantime, we urge the Supreme Court to enjoin the Fifth Circuit ruling until the High Court issues its own ruling in response to the Fifth Circuit’s groundless action.”
Statement from Aspen Ruhlin, Community Engagement Manager of Mabel Wadsworth Center:
“This attack on Mifepristone, like all attacks on abortion, is rooted fully in control, cruelty, and creating confusion for abortion seekers. Anti-abortion extremists like Louisiana’s Attorney General know that the data shows that abortions are safe and essential care. These extremists know that restricting abortion access increases maternal and infant mortality rates. The point is not to improve health outcomes–the point is to punish and control pregnant people. These extremists also know that restrictions such as this cause confusion and shame, leading to abortion seekers delaying care.”
“Abortion care, both in-clinic procedures and medication abortion, remain legal and available in Maine. We trust abortion seekers and are here to support them in accessing the care they know they need and overcoming barriers to this essential, common care.”
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About Maine Family Planning
Maine Family Planning is a statewide, private, not-for-profit organization founded more than 50 years ago to assure access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health services for Maine people regardless of their ability to pay. As the statewide grantee for both federal and state funds, Maine Family Planning subcontracts with other sexual and reproductive health care providers to assure access through a total of 63 clinical sites, including 19 Maine Family Planning sites, four Planned Parenthood of Northern New England health centers, eight school- based health centers, and 32 Federally Qualified Health Centers. In 2023, Maine’s Family Planning Network served nearly 30,000 people. Learn more at mainefamilyplanning.org.
About Mabel Wadsworth Center
Mabel Wadsworth Center is the only not-for-profit, private, independent feminist health center in Maine and one of just a handful nationwide. Our mission is to provide health care using a feminist model focused on sexual and reproductive health through education, advocacy, and clinical services.
Feminist. The Center’s philosophy of care is based on empowerment and putting individuals in charge of their own healthcare decisions. The Center is the longest-serving abortion provider in Maine, proudly providing abortion care since 1994.
Local. We’ve been the Greater Bangor area’s reproductive and sexual health provider and experts for decades and will be for many more! We are proud to be part of this vibrant community and to support efforts that make it more livable and healthy for all.
Independent. We neither accept nor seek restrictive federal or state government funding and never have, allowing us to provide unrestricted clinical services, advocacy, and education to all. Independent abortion care providers like us are where most people in the U.S. go to terminate a pregnancy. Today, independent abortion clinics provide care to 3 out of 5 people in the U.S. who have an abortion.Learn more about Mabel Wadsworth Center at mabelwadsworth.org.
