Abortion is always a tragedy that takes the life of an innocent child and significantly wounds the mother. For decades, surgical procedures accounted for most abortions, but today abortion by pill (also known as “chemical abortion” or, by proponents, “medication abortion”) is the most common form in the U.S. In a “chemical abortion,” a pregnant woman typically takes two pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, a day or two apart, to kill and then expel a developing child from her womb. This form of abortion not only takes the life of a child but also poses significant risks to the health and safety of women.

Despite these risks, chemical abortion is widespread. Since 2016, the FDA has disregarded women’s health by loosening safety standards, extending the limits of when mifepristone can be used, and decreasing the number of required doctor’s visits. More recently, the FDA has allowed abortion pills to be prescribed in virtual appointments and sold both at neighborhood pharmacies and online, enabling a nationwide mail-order abortion industry. These policies leave women vulnerable to suffering an abortion at home, alone, without any medical supervision. In addition to putting a woman’s health at risk, the actions taken by the FDA also increase the chances that women may be exploited by violent partners and human traffickers undetected.

There are currently three major federal lawsuits, led by states with pro-life laws, challenging the FDA and seeking to restore limitations on mifepristone or undo its availability altogether. On May 14, the Supreme Court allowed the abortion pill to remain available by video appointment and mail-order while at least one of the lawsuits proceeds. While this setback was disappointing, we pray that the states will ultimately prevail in protecting women and preborn children from the dangers of the abortion pill.