Planned Parenthood will continue to offer medication abortion in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont

(Portland, MAINE) -  A federal district court judge Friday issued a ruling that would make the most common protocol for medication abortion in the United States unlawful; however, it does not go into effect for at least seven days. The Department of Justice has already appealed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to seek a stay.  

At least until April 14, mifepristone remains safe, legal, and available throughout the country. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England health centers in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont will continue to offer medication abortion using the mifepristone protocol until further notice. Mabel Wadsworth Center and Maine Family Planning will do the same at their clinics in Maine. If necessary, providers are prepared to pivot to a single drug medication abortion protocol using misoprostol, the second of the two drugs in the standard protocol. While a misoprostol-only medication abortion is just as safe as a mifepristone/misoprostol combination abortion, it is less effective and can cause more complications than the mifepristone/misoprostol approach. In addition, multiple doses of misoprostol may be required for each patient. 

The judge’s ruling in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration is the latest in a long series of politically motivated attacks by anti-abortion extremists who seek to ban abortion nationwide. While the ruling occurred in a Texas court, because it would revoke the Federal Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone –- which happened in 2000 –- the ruling affects every state in the country, even those with protections for abortion in their state laws or constitutions. 

Statement from Andrea Pelletier, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England: 

“This ruling is an unprecedented attack on the reproductive rights and freedoms of every American. This case, strategically filed by anti-abortion extremists who have relied on junk science to pursue their agenda to insert politics into medical care nationwide, will only serve to further harm patients and medical providers.  

Mifepristone is a safe and effective drug approved by the FDA more than 20 years ago, and the mifepristone/misoprostol medication abortion protocol has been the safe, effective standard for years. While we are outraged at today’s ruling, we want to be clear –- medication abortion is still available. 

Every person deserves access to safe, effective health care when they need it, without interference from non-medical actors with political agendas. Private medical decisions should be between providers and their patients, and Friday’s ruling is just the latest attempt by political forces to insert themselves where they don’t belong. 

Our commitment to safe, effective health care remains, and we expect to continue serving our patients in every way we can -- no matter what.”  

Statement from Bonnie Case, FNP-C, Director of Clinical Services, Mabel Wadsworth Center  

“This is a politically motivated attack on a safe and effective medication that has expanded access to reproductive health care across the United States. Mifepristone was approved by the FDA over 20 years ago and has been used by millions of people to safely end their pregnancies. Everyone should have the ability to make decisions about their own reproductive health and future, including choosing the method of abortion that works best for them. While we are outraged by this decision, we want to be clear: nothing has changed at this point in Maine. Abortion, including the use of mifepristone, remains legal and available at Mabel Wadsworth Center.” 

Statement from George Hill, President & CEO, Maine Family Planning 

“This decision has nothing to do with patient safety, as the anti-abortion groups who brought the lawsuit claim. Decades of research show mifepristone is as safe or safer than other commonly used drugs, including penicillin and acetaminophen. It’s clear this attack is political in nature and is part of a larger effort to ban abortion nationwide.  

“We encourage advocates to recommit to protecting sexual and reproductive health care and rights. And it’s critical we continue to center the wisdom and voices of Black, Indigenous, queer, trans, disabled, immigrant, poor, rural, young, and others who are the most impacted by political attacks like these. We urge you to contact your legislators, support your local clinics, and commit to unconditional reproductive autonomy. As organizer Mariame Kaba says, ‘Let this radicalize you rather than lead you to despair.’” 

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About Planned Parenthood of Northern New England: PPNNE is the largest provider of sexual and reproductive health care across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. In FY22, PPNNE provided care to more than 36,000 patients for more than 52,000 visits. There are 15 health centers across the region, including four in Maine.