Pappas Joins Congressional Delegation, Parenthood of Northern New England, and NH Providers for Roundtable Discussion on Anti-Woman TX Abortion Pill Ruling

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) hosted a roundtable discussion with New Hampshire family care providers at the Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) Manchester Health Center. The discussion centered around the recent ruling out of Texas from U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk – a Donald Trump-appointed judge – who issued a nationwide injunction pausing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s approval of mifepristone, the first drug used in the two-drug medication abortion protocol, and the implications on those seeking reproductive care in New Hampshire.

On April 7,  Kacsmaryk ruled against the FDA to block its approval of mifepristone. Judge Kacsmaryk gave the agency seven days to request a stay of the ruling, after which the case will be referred to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. On Monday, the Department of Justice filed an emergency stay with the 5th Circuit to block the ruling from going into effect. If the ruling goes into effect, mifepristone would be effectively banned nationwide, gravely limiting abortion access including in states where abortion is protected.

“Mifepristone has been FDA approved for twenty years because it is safe, effective, and helps provide life-saving care,” said Congressman Pappas. “Women seeking a safe, legal abortion or treatment for miscarriage with mifepristone should not have their care thrown into jeopardy by the uncertainty radical right-wing judges and politicians have created. This ruling does not follow the science and endangers the health and well-being of women across this country while setting a dangerous precedent that could unleash attacks on other life-saving medications Granite Staters have relied on for decades. I remain committed to ensuring that all Americans have the freedom to make their own decisions about their bodies, their health care, their lives, and their futures, and will continue to oppose efforts from the far right to interfere in these personal medical decisions.” 

“Like many women in New Hampshire and across the country, I was outraged by the medication abortion ruling on Friday by a federal judge in Texas. This unprecedented ruling is the most serious assault on reproductive freedom since the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. If this decision stands, American women’s two-decade-long access to mifepristone will be in jeopardy across the nation, outlawing the most commonly used method for women to seek abortions. The Supreme Court must intervene to protect the health, safety and lives of women,” said Senator Shaheen. “Today’s engaging roundtable discussion with community leaders and family care providers demonstrated that the New Hampshire congressional delegation stands firmly with women and will leave no stone unturned in the fight to protect reproductive freedoms. I’ll continue to do everything I can to stop GOP legislators or unelected jurists from imposing their control over women’s right to choose if or when to start a family.”

“The recent decision by a Texas judge to prevent doctors from prescribing mifepristone is the latest effort to dismantle a woman’s fundamental freedom – and impacts women across the country, including in New Hampshire,” said Senator Hassan. “It is clear that anti-choice extremists will not stop at overturning Roe, and they will not stop until abortion is banned in America. But women are capable of making their own health decisions and doctors are capable of providing the best care to their patients – and I will continue to fight to protect a woman’s fundamental freedom.” 

“Let’s be clear - medication abortion is still safe, legal, and accessible in New Hampshire. Everyone should have access to the abortion procedure that works best for their lives and their bodies. If necessary, we are prepared to pivot to a different medication abortion protocol to ensure we can continue to deliver this critical care to our patients. Our commitment to providing safe, effective health care is steadfast,” said Jinelle Hobson, Equality Health Center. 

“From our own state's 24-week abortion ban to the Executive Council’s multiple votes to defund family planning providers to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the last year has been a relentless assault on reproductive rights and our ability as providers to deliver the critical care patients need. This politically motivated ruling in Texas should make clear to everyone that people opposed to abortion will not stop until abortion is banned everywhere, including here in New Hampshire,” said Sandi Denoncour, Lovering Health Center.

“Granite Staters agree - private medical decisions should be made by patients and their providers, not politicians and judges. Every person deserves access to safe, effective health care when they need it in consultation with their medical providers - not politicians and judges. This ruling is just the latest attempt by political forces to insert themselves where they don’t belong. We are grateful for members of New Hampshire’s Congressional Delegation who are standing up for Granite Staters’ reproductive rights and freedoms,” said Liz Canada, Advocacy Manager, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.