NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — New York politicians denounced the ruling by a Texas judge to effectively ban the most popular drug used for medication abortions in the U.S. on Friday and vowed to fight to ensure continued access to abortion in the state.
The Texas ruling effectively makes the prescription of the drug mifepristone illegal, according to Adams’ office. It came just minutes apart from a contradictory ruling handed down by a judge in Washington.
Mifepristone has been widely available for more than 20 years and is considered a safe way to terminate a pregnancy without surgical intervention. It’s usually prescribed alongside misoprostol, another drug that can induce abortion, in order to maximize the chance that a pregnancy is terminated.
Mifepristone is also used to treat other health issues like miscarriages and gastric ulcers.
Mayor Eric Adams described the ruling as a “clear act of war on women.”
“Nearly 10 months ago, a Supreme Court packed with Trump appointees issued a ruling taking us 50 years back in time as they sought to shackle women and others in reproductive bondage,” said Adams. “Banning one of the medications for the simplest, quickest, and most common ways for women to access abortions nationwide is a cruel and inhumane decision by a court set on trampling the law, not upholding it.”
The mayor said the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will continue offering misoprostol-only treatment if forced to by the law.
By using only misoprostol, there will be more instances in which the medication fails. At that point, a doctor would likely recommend a surgical abortion.
Gov. Kathy Hochul emphasized abortions will still be available to those who need them in New York.
“Regardless of today's ruling, abortion access and care is still available in New York. For anyone who needs care, our state will welcome you with open arms,” she said. “Additionally, we are working with the federal government, governors, and partners across the country on solutions to prevent further infringement on care. I have also asked the legislature to consider actions to protect other medication abortion, including misoprostol, during current budget negotiations.”
Attorney General Letitia James also said New York will continue offering abortions to anyone who comes to the state seeking one from a place where abortions are not available.
“Abortion continues to be legal in New York, and New York will remain a safe haven for anyone seeking abortion care,” said James. “New York will continue to do everything within its power to protect reproductive rights, because it should always be your body, and your choice.”
“Today’s decision blatantly disregards decades of medical research for politically motivated reasons that will jeopardize the health of millions of people nationwide,” she continued. “Restricting access to safe and effective medication is a dangerous attack on reproductive freedom, public health, and scientific integrity.”
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Department of Justice intends to appeal the decision.
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