Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
While Courts Hash Out Mifepristone Case, Providers Eye Misoprostol For Abortion Care
NBC News: If The Abortion Pill Mifepristone Can't Be Mailed, Providers Have A Plan
If people can't get mifepristone by mail, what are their options? Some abortion providers say they would send misoprostol, the other medication in the two-pill regimen, on its own. (Bendix, 5/5)
NPR: Medication Abortion Works With Misoprostol Only. Here's How
Misoprostol alone can be used effectively for abortions — and is commonly prescribed in some countries. A grassroots effort among women in Brazil, Argentina and other South American countries in the late 1980s and early 1990s spread word that the medicine originally on the market as an ulcer treatment could be used to end unwanted pregnancies. "This regimen is still incredibly safe and effective," says Dr. Kristyn Brandi, a New Jersey family planning specialist and spokesperson for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (Gordon, Simmons-Duffin and Webber, 5/4)
More abortion developments —
The Washington Post: Mifepristone Legal Battle Returns Abortion To Political Spotlight
Democrats with presidential aspirations are raising alarms while congressional candidates in competitive districts have stayed relatively quiet, a sign that the party is still figuring out how to react. Advocates view the legal scuffle over the pill as a fresh opening for Democrats to take abortion off the back burner and capitalize on the issue as they look to win back majorities in Congress. “Reproductive freedom is not safe,” said Mini Timmaraju, president of the national abortion rights group Reproductive Freedom for All. “And moments like this are opportunities to continue to drill that down.” (Somasundaram and Roubein, 5/5)
Roll Call: Cassidy Calls For Expedited Abortion Pill Review As Primary Nears
Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, at risk of further distancing himself from President Donald Trump as his primary election draws closer, says the administration isn’t doing enough to restrict access to abortion pills. Cassidy, one of the few remaining Republicans in Congress who voted to convict Trump at his impeachment trial after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, on Tuesday accused the administration of moving too slowly in reviewing the safety of the abortion medication mifepristone. (Cohen, 5/5)
The CT Mirror: CT Looks To 'Shield' Reproductive Care Amid Mifepristone Uncertainty
A legal battle over medication abortion cast uncertainty in recent days over patients’ ability to access it. Connecticut elected officials and advocates gathered Tuesday morning to decry the “chaos” and encourage — with less than 48 hours to go in the legislative session — the strengthening of state laws that protect reproductive care providers. (Golvala, 5/5)
Missouri Independent: Missouri Senate Republicans Drop Lawsuits Over Medication Abortions From ‘Born-Alive’ Bill
Missouri Senate Democrats secured a victory Tuesday evening in a deal with Republicans to ax provisions in an anti-abortion a bill that sought to open the door for lawsuits against anyone involved in an illegal abortion. The “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act” is a top priority of anti-abortion lawmakers as the legislative session nears a close and primary campaign season approaches. (Spoerre, 5/6)
NPR: Wyoming Lawmakers Use Pro-Natalist Arguments To Justify Proposed New Partial Abortion Ban
Wyoming lawmakers say tight new restrictions on abortion are needed to grow the state's population. Demographers and others say economic conditions are more to blame for an exodus of young people. (Merzbach, 5/5)
Also —
The Guardian: Florida Baby ‘Born Twice’ After Elaborate Surgery Involving Partial Delivery
A Florida infant is said to have been born twice after undergoing what was an innovative, likely life-saving surgery that involved a partial delivery weeks before his mother then gave birth to him. Cassian Joubert’s remarkable story was recently first told publicly by his mother and father – Keishera and Greg Joubert – in a 1 May video published on social media by the Orlando Health Women’s Institute, which employs the surgeon that led the baby boy’s prenatal operation. (Vargas, 5/6)
STLPR: One In Four Missourians Report Barriers To Preferred Birth Control, Survey Finds
One in four Missourians say they’ve run into obstacles obtaining birth control, according to a new survey of about 1,000 people from the Missouri Foundation for Health. (Fentem, 5/6)
CNN: What To Know About A Viral Menopause Trend
A viral trend claims that a combination of common over-the-counter medications, specifically an allergy drug and an acid reducer, can ease symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. (Hetter, 5/5)
