Health Secretary Called to Account for Abortion Pill Safety Rollback
The Restoration of America Foundation (ROAF) is urging the Senate Finance Committee to hold Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accountable during a hearing scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. The organization is demanding explanations regarding the recent removal of safety measures for the abortion pill, mifepristone.
In a letter to the committee, ROAF expressed concern that the rollback of essential safety protocols, which have been in place for over twenty years, may leave women at greater risk. The changes also have the potential to shift financial burdens onto taxpayers.
Doug Truax, the founder and CEO of ROAF, stated, “Eliminating critical Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) requirements for mifepristone has removed vital safeguards that have protected women’s health for decades. We implore the Senate to seek clear answers on why these protocols were lifted and when they will be put back in place.”
Previously, the FDA mandated that mifepristone be dispensed in person, ensuring that women were screened for complications like ectopic pregnancies. However, this requirement was lifted under the current administration, allowing the pill to be prescribed through telehealth consultations and sent via mail.
Truax emphasized the dangers of this new approach, warning that “permitting these powerful drugs to be ordered online without proper medical evaluations puts women in serious jeopardy.” He affirmed that women should be fully informed of possible complications and have immediate access to emergency care if necessary.
Recent studies have raised alarms, with a report highlighting that almost 11 percent of chemical abortions led to serious health issues, such as hemorrhaging or infections. This statistic is notably higher than figures previously released by the FDA.
As Secretary Kennedy prepares to testify, the hearing is expected to bring broader discussions about abortion and medical safety back into the spotlight. The HHS has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding these concerns.
