In the fight for post-Roe sexual and reproductive rights, maintaining federal control over widespread access to abortion drugs is the Biden administration’s best opportunity to protect reproductive rights at the federal level.
Codification of Roe v. Wade is unlikely anytime soon in the Republican-controlled House, and red states are moving quickly to limit abortion.
Less than a week after a federal judge acted to roll back access to abortion pills, the government has removed all parts of the decades-old approval of mifepristone by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). started a legal battle in favor of Other Medical Privacy Protections.
Vice President Harris, who has spearheaded the White House effort to protect access to abortion since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. It’s the next step towards a complete abortion ban,” he warned. White House Press Secretary Carine Jean-Pierre echoed the warning, saying the Texas-based judge’s ruling on abortion drugs was part of the Republican Party’s overall plan to ban abortion. Stated.
John Labombard, former communications director for Sen. Kirsten Cinema (D-D-Arizona), said that restoring abortion rights would require winning elections and appointing new judges and judges. He argued that the Biden administration was “joining hands on so many things at this point.” ).
“By focusing on the pill and this recent court ruling, the White House is doing what it can and should do now and in the near term to actually protect women’s access to drugs. “And they are also on the front and center of voters’ front and center with the Republican Party against abortion rights,” said Rokk senior vice president LaBomard. We keep the contrast.”
The White House prepared for this
The White House has been gearing up for this battle, planning to respond to all sorts of court decisions regarding mifepristone, but officials are in full swing this week.
“This week, a team led by the Council on Gender Policy reached out, checked in and coordinated with stakeholders, Reproductive Rights Groups, lawmakers, and elected state and local officials,” a White House official said. Stated.
But the effort began months ago. Harris said he brought health care providers and supporters to the White House in February to specifically talk about attacks on abortion drugs. She has been monitoring the situation since then and was ready when the decision was made on April 7, according to her office.
The White House plans to continue pressuring Congress to codify Law, but with Republicans in control of the House, it looks like the bill won’t pass. Roe’s move to codification is expected to be a major agenda item in the 2024 presidential election, and Democrats will try to appeal to voters who want it.
Within days of a judge’s ruling on mifepristone, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), a potential presidential candidate and challenger to Biden in 2024, announced a six-week abortion ban in Florida. signed the decree, making Florida one of the strictest abortion states.s access. The White House called the ban “dangerous” and said Biden would continue to fight for women’s reproductive rights.
Fight over abortion pills could be ‘consequential’
Strategists said the White House’s push behind abortion drugs is the best thing the administration can focus on right now.
“I don’t know if I’d say this is the ‘last thing’ to fight, but right now it’s the most important thing they can fight,” said Christina Antero, Democratic strategist and founder and CEO of Ferox. It is certain that it is,” he said. strategy.
“This drug is essential. I took it myself during my own miscarriage, so I’m grateful that it’s available and I want to thank the president and his team for helping other women survive that terrifying moment safely.” I implore you to keep fighting.
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed Kaksmalik’s order after the Biden administration and mifepristone makers appealed last week’s ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kaksmalik to suspend the drug’s approval by the FDA. , temporarily withheld access to the pill while the issue was reviewed.
The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit also ruled that mifepristone can remain on the market as federal appeals proceed. However, this makes some of Kacsmaryk’s rulings effective, and a series of steps the FDA has taken since his 2016 to facilitate access to the pills (such as allowing them to be sent by mail). Canceled.
The Justice Department is also reviewing another ruling from a federal judge in Washington state that will prevent the FDA from changing the status quo regarding drug availability.
Conflicting rulings could lead to the intervention of higher courts, and perhaps eventually the Supreme Court.
New privacy protection
The ruling also prompted the Biden administration to act to protect patient privacy and strengthen its protections under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA. The new rule prevents personal information from being disclosed to investigate someone to facilitate health care such as abortion.
It also includes guidance to remind thousands of schools of their obligation to protect student privacy. The federal government will also launch a consumer guide with best practices for protecting personal data on phones.
Harris also informed the Task Force on Reproductive Health Care Access, which will hold its third meeting on Wednesday following the Texas judge’s first ruling. She will be traveling to Reno, Nevada next week to join the conversation on protecting reproductive freedom.
“Our administration is fighting on every front to do what it can and must do to protect the integrity of the American people and the health care system in this country,” Harris said Wednesday.
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