Massachusetts
Massachusetts stockpiles mifepristone, adds abortion medication to shield law
Gov. Maura Healey, proper, publicizes she signed an govt order in response to current court docket rulings about treatment abortion entry. Photograph: Steph Solis/Axios
Massachusetts is increasing abortion protections to incorporate treatment abortion amid a nationwide authorized battle calling the therapy’s authorization into query.
Driving the information: Gov. Maura Healey signed an govt order Monday clarifying {that a} 2022 regulation shielding abortion suppliers from out-of-state prosecution additionally consists of medical abortions and mifepristone.
- She additionally introduced that UMass Amherst final week ordered 15,000 doses of mifepristone to make sure sufficient protection for greater than a 12 months.
Catch up quick: Healey’s actions come after a Texas ruling Friday paused the FDA’s approval of mifepristone.
- Healey mentioned UMass’ treatment order was positioned earlier than the Texas decide’s federal ruling final week.
Zoom in: Advocates and well being care leaders expressed concern that the Texas choice might threaten entry to the drug in Massachusetts. Healey mentioned in an announcement Monday she “will at all times shield entry to reproductive well being care, together with treatment abortion.”
What they’re saying: “Our response in Massachusetts goes to be to double down for freedom,” Healey instructed a crowd exterior the State Home.
State of play: On the similar day of the Texas ruling, a federal decide in Washington mentioned in separate ruling the treatment’s authorization can’t be rescinded as a result of it will alter the “established order.”
- The Texas choice was set to take impact this Friday, however the Washington state choice takes impact instantly.
The massive image: Final week’s dueling court docket rulings on treatment abortion means the query might head to the Supreme Court docket, which overturned Roe v. Wade final 12 months.
- Whereas the choice to overturn Roe v. Wade left the matter as much as the states, the authorized battle over mifepristone hinges upon the Meals and Drug Administration’s authority to greenlight the drug.
- That call might in the end have an effect on whether or not abortion-friendly states like Massachusetts might make the treatment obtainable and shield suppliers who administer it.