Guttmacher expert analyzes state-level efforts to restrict medication abortion by classifying mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled substances, increasing barriers to care and criminalization risks.
How anti-abortion legislation threatens medication abortion access
Transcript: Our state policy experts have noticed a major trend this state legislative session. Medication abortion, which is proven to be safe, effective and the most common method of abortion in the Us Is under attack. Many states are pushing bills to classify the two most commonly used abortion pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, as controlled substances.
That would make them harder to access, even for doctors treating miscarriage or postpartum hemorrhage. This also increases the risk of criminalization, especially for the most marginalized populations.
Louisiana enacted one of these controlled substances bills in 2024, this year we've already seen states across the country introduce similar bills. Some policymakers are also falsely claiming that medication abortion pills contaminate drinking water and are introducing bills that would misuse environmental laws to restrict medication abortion with zero scientific evidence.
Check the caption for details and to learn more about the major trends we're seeing in this year's state legislative sessions, visit the link in our bio.