Who Should Be in Charge: Women or Federal Laws?

March 16, 2023

Jeewon Kim/Hailey

The United States recently announced harsher limits on the accessibility of abortion drugs, which triggered debate and indignation among proponents of reproductive rights. On February 24, 2023, two cases were submitted to the US District Court for the Western District of Texas to contest the state's current abortion medication regulations.

The new rules demand that Texas residents who need abortion medications first visit a physician, rather than acquiring the medication through telemedicine or the mail. The lawsuits seek to block the adoption of this legislation beginning on April 1, 2023, claiming that it violates patients' constitutional rights, especially for low-income Texans, individuals living in rural areas, and persons of color who may have more difficulties getting safe and legal abortions.

The Texas Abortion Fund, along with the Center for Reproductive Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union, fought for the implementation of these laws on behalf of clinics, organizations, and people seeking abortions. The new regulations concern supporters of reproductive rights since they could harm women seeking abortion care, especially those who reside in remote communities and those who already have trouble accessing healthcare. They argue that taking medication to end a pregnancy is a reliable and safe approach and that limiting access to these medications will increase the number of unauthorized and dangerous abortions.

Nevertheless, twelve US blue states opposing to legal access to abortion drugs have welcomed the new rules, maintaining that they would safeguard the lives of unborn children and stop women from using potentially dangerous pills without a doctor's supervision.

Uncertainty exists over how these new laws will impact those who seek abortion treatment in the future due to the ongoing debate in the US regarding reproductive rights and access to abortion. The decision in the claims could affect not just Texas but also access to reproductive healthcare nationwide.