In a bid to safeguard reproductive rights, Santa Clara County, in partnership with New York City, has taken a stand at the Supreme Court level. The two jurisdictions have filed a joint brief, according to a statement obtained by Santa Clara County News, calling for the reversal of a lower court decision that would limit the availability of the FDA-approved drug mifepristone. The medication is widely utilized for terminating pregnancies and managing miscarriages.
There has been a thus far successful push to temporarily maintain access to mifepristone, with the Supreme Court granting a stay while the FDA's appeal progresses through the courts. This came after a federal district court in Texas ruled to block the FDA's approval of the drug. However, while the stay is in place, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decided to uphold the original approval but went on to obstruct later FDA regulations that eased patient access to the drug. On December 13, 2023, the Supreme Court agreed to review the Fifth Circuit’s decision, a step that could potentially impact the ongoing battle over reproductive rights.
The County's brief emphasizes the negative consequences a reduction in access to mifepristone could have on public healthcare systems. It states that such a move would burden overtaxed hospitals, increase risks and delays in patient care, and could erode trust in public health institutions, resulting in broader community harm. "The Fifth Circuit’s decision is a troubling attempt to turn back the clock on reproductive freedom," Santa Clara County Counsel Tony LoPresti expressed. The sentiments echo through a coalition of localities that also experience the direct impact of these rulings – spanning across the nation from Los Angeles to Cook County, Illinois – all of whom have joined in support of the amicus brief.
As the country looks on, the Supreme Court's decision will undoubtedly have significant implications. The focus now shifts on the additional local governments that have allied with Santa Clara County and New York City, signaling a joint front to protect a facet of healthcare that serves as a cornerstone for reproductive autonomy.
