For those of you following the legal decisions around Telehealth medication abortion, you know that the Supreme Court’s stay on the 5th circuit court of appeals decision was extended to May 14. Almost two weeks ago the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency stay blocking mailed mifepristone (the first medication that is typically used for medication abortion).
We put out the bat signal and got a few friends of the podcast together to help tell the story of the law and safety of medication abortion. On last week’s episode we talked with reproductive health legal scholar and creator of shield law theory - David Cohen from Drexel. He masterfully explains what the 5th circuit is doing, how this decision is unprecedented, and he predicts what might happen to mifepristone.
We also talk with Dr. Ushma Upadhyay from ANSIRH at UCSF - she is an epidemiologist and expert about Telehealth abortion. Her research follows patients seeking Telehealth abortion (CHAT study) and highlights the safety of medication abortion when administered via Telehealth. She is also one of the lead researchers of the #WeCount study - tracking abortion provision in the US.
Rounding out our team of experts is Dr. Robin Wallace, a family doctor and former volunteer for the M&A hotline (A free clinician-run hotline for patients self-managing miscarriage and abortion). She tells us why patients might seek Telehealth abortion and what common questions they would call in to the hotline asking.
What a team, right? If you want to know the real news about mifepristone, listen to this episode and share with anyone who might be questioning the safety of this approach.
Here are a few fun facts about mifepristone and Telehealth to ponder while we wait for the Supreme Court to decide its fate:
Mifepristone has a long track record for safety for medication abortion - including Telehealth abortion. Serious complications occur less than 1% of the time.
Medication abortion accounts for most abortions that are occurring in the US. According to data from Guttmacher approximately 65% of abortion in the US in 2023 occurred with medication.
The evidence-based method to manage miscarriage with medication uses the EXACT SAME medications as for medication abortion - mifepristone and misoprostol. Any laws that impact the REMS for medication abortion will also have effects on miscarriage management.
The attacks on mifepristone are politically motivated, not based on science. Telehealth abortion is the only option for some patients in ban states. Recent data from Guttmacher showed that over 90K abortions in the US occurred via Telehealth.
Spoiler alert: Telehealth abortion with misoprostol only will still be an option if mifepristone use is limited. This option can be equally effective, but does cause more side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This decision is not about what might be best for people and the unnecessary suffering of people seeking care is a feature of this approach.
If mifepristone is limited, there will be confusion! You can help clear some of that up, by being an expert amongst your friends and family. Want to learn more? Check out this website from ANSIRH.
Want to learn more about Telehealth medication abortion? The Plan C website is a comprehensive resource for patients seeking care.
Check out some of our other episodes about medication abortion safety and provision from earlier in the season.
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