Latest News on Mifepristone

A lot has happened in the abortion space these last couple of months. There have been several new laws and regulations introduced across different states in the country. Some states have passed laws that restrict access to abortion, while others have passed laws that protect access to abortion and reproductive care.

Medication abortion continues to be challenged through the United States, since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling on June 24, 2022.

On April 7th, a federal judge in Texas issued an early ruling in the AHM v. FDA lawsuit invalidating the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, one of two most commonly used abortion medications in the United States. The judge gave the federal government 7 days to appeal this decision, but on Wednesday, April 12th, the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled mifepristone to remain legal with certain restrictions. The restrictions would not allow Mifepristone to be sent by mail and it could only be prescribed up to 7 weeks of pregnancy instead of 10.

These restrictions disproportionately affect marginalized communities, who may already face barriers to accessing healthcare. They also often rely on misleading or false information about the safety of medication abortion, perpetuating harmful myths and stigmatizing those who seek abortion care. 

On Friday, April 21st, the Supreme Court ruled Mifepristone to remain widely available, putting a hold on the restrictions previously placed. Mifepristone's FDA approval will remain unchanged as the case proceeds through the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. We will inform you of any updates as the case moves through the courts.

It is important to continue advocacy and activism for abortion access, particularly in the face of ongoing attempts to restrict it. The truth is medication abortion has a safety record of over 99%. Mifepristone has been proven to be safe and effective and has been used by more than 5 million people in the United States since the FDA approved it more than 20 years ago. Mifepristone has allowed patients to make their own private medical decisions, and expanded access to reproductive health care.

Thank you to our volunteers and donors who are committed in helping all persons access the abortion care that they need or want.

Abortion Funding Practical Support

By the Numbers: This illustrates how many folks we’ve helped from each state this quarter!

Despite the nationwide challenges to abortion access, NM RCRC remains committed to providing practical support to individuals seeking abortion care. In the first quarter of 2023, we assisted 243 individuals from 6 states. 225 of these individuals were from Texas, 3 from Arizona, 4 from Louisiana, 5 from New Mexico, 5 from Oklahoma, and 1 from Missouri. The number of individuals we have assisted has dropped by 32% from the previous quarter in 2022 due to Texas funds reopening and offering similar assistance to individuals in Texas.

2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

We had a very successful legislative session this year! Amazing life-changing bills, like HB7, SB13, HB134, and HB400 were signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. As a faith led organization, we know that these bills will help preserve our shared values of equity, care for the marginalized, and love of our neighbors. 

Thank you for showing your support to these bills and making it possible for them to be signed into law. We are proud to be a safe and accepting state that puts New Mexicans first.

Despite our best efforts, SB11, HB43, and HB51 failed to make it through the legislative process. SB11 and HB51 were tabled in committee hearings, and HB43 never received a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee (its last committee hearing before reaching the Senate floor).

HB7- Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Freedom Act prohibits public bodies, including local municipalities, from denying, restricting or discriminating against an individual’s right to use or refuse reproductive or gender affirming care.

SB13- Reproductive Health Provider Protections protects reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare providers, including abortion funds and our volunteers, from criminal liability or professional disciplinary action. It also protects patients' reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare information from being accessed by other states.

HB134-Menstrual Products in School Bathrooms requires the Public Education Department to provide menstrual products in school bathrooms at no cost to students.

HB400-State-Administered Health Coverage Plan (Medicaid Forward) allows residents whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid to instead purchase an affordable plan through the program. 

SB11- Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) was tabled in the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee with a 6-5 vote. PFML is a program designated to help people in New Mexico take paid time off of work for family or medical reasons. Although, PFML was tabled, we are not ready to give up and are hopeful for the future. We believe all New Mexicans regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and their zip code deserve paid time off to take care of themselves and their families.

HB43- Affirmative Consent Policy in Schools needed to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee before reaching the Senate floor, but unfortunately it was never scheduled. This bill would require public schools and public and private post-secondary educational institutions to adopt policies and procedures addressing affirmative consent and prevention of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, harassment and stalking: amending the public code to include a requirement to set affirmative consent as the standard for sexual activity.

HB51- Prescription Drug Affordability Board Act was tabled in the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, but the fight is not over yet. We believe everyone deserves access to affordable prescription drugs. No one should be put into a situation where they have to choose between their medication and their family’s welfare.

Thank you for your continued support during this year's legislative session. It was a great session and we can't wait to advocate with you next year!

Fund-A-Thon 2023

Come out and enjoy Bow & Arrow's craft beer, delicious stuffed sopapillas from Stuffed Lust, raffle prizes from local artists and vendors, and hear from NMRCRC staff about the state of abortion access in New Mexico and the US! You can stop by anytime between 6 and 10pm on Saturday, May 20th to raise money for our abortion fund. The National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) will match all funds raised up to $50,000 by May 31st, doubling the impact of your contribution. If you are unable to attend, you may still contribute with an online donation of your choice, which will also be matched by NNAF.

The first 30 people to purchase a ticket will receive a commemorative pint glass! Regular admission is $50, which includes 2 drink tickets and a raffle entry. Student Admission is $25 which includes 1 drink ticket an a raffle entry (please be prepared to show your student I.D at entry). Kids get in for free with an adult, but keep in mind this is not a family focused event, so children's entertainment will not be provided. For groups of 10 or more enter promo code GROUP at checkout for a 10% discount. We can't wait to see you!