Washington, D.C. — The Institute for Women’s Policy Research today released the following statement after a Texas judge’s decision invalidating the FDA approval of mifepristone and potentially denying women across the U.S. access to medication abortion.

“Today, a single Texas judge helped to further turn back the clock on women’s reproductive freedom in America. First it was the overturn of Roe v. Wade and now one judge has jeopardized access to medication abortion for millions of women, even in states that have chosen to protect abortion access.

“This decision is not about protecting women’s health. Mifepristone, the drug employed in medication abortions, has been used by more than four million women in the US and has been widely studied and proven safer than many other common prescriptions. It accounts for over half of abortions in the US. In recent months, the Biden Administration has removed some of the needless and unscientific restrictions around mifepristone, increasing accessibility even as conservative lawmakers have sought to impose new restrictions.

“Today’s ruling is not the end of this story. Importantly, the decision does not go into effect immediately, giving the federal government seven days to appeal.

“IWPR has quantified the high costs of abortion bans and restrictions, both to women and to entire state economies. The impacts of this decision will be felt across the country – in states that have abortion bans and in states where abortion is protected. If allowed to stand, this decision could all but eradicate access to medication abortion throughout most of the country, creating yet another massive barrier to women seeking reproductive health care.”

The Institute for Women’s Policy Research strives to win economic equity for all women and eliminate barriers to their full participation in society. As a leading national think tank, IWPR builds evidence to shape policies that grow women’s power and influence, close inequality gaps, and improve the economic well-being of families. Learn more at IWPR.org and follow us on Twitter.