Even as a federal court case that could force stores to stop selling a major abortion pill is up for debate in Texas, the Delaware Department of Justice assured Delawareans that medication abortion will remain legal in the First State.
Just as surgical abortions remain accessible in Delaware despite the overturning of Roe v. Wade, medication abortion is protected under state laws. Even if mifepristone, the drug at the center of the Texas case, is banned, the Department of Justice said single-use misoprostol — another commonly used abortion medication — will remain available.
BACKGROUND:Texas judge hears arguments in lawsuit that could force major abortion pill off market nationwide
If the Texas judge rules in favor of the conservative legal advocacy organization Alliance Defending Freedom and pulls mifepristone from the market, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings said it would be “a flagrant attack on reproductive freedom, plain and simple.”
“We will continue to fight to ensure that abortion remains safe, accessible, and legal in Delaware,” she said in an official statement.
A spokesperson for the local Planned Parenthood said the organization will continue to help Delawareans access safe abortions regardless of the court case decision. Both medication and surgical abortions will still be offered to patients, even those from outside of the state. Medication accounts for over half of abortions.
Like with limited access to surgical abortions, studies show that diminished access to medication abortion disproportionately impacts low-income people and people of color.
“Making abortion more difficult to access can have devastating economic consequences and drive people deeper into poverty,” said Helen Salita, campaign manager for the Delaware branch of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Anyone looking for more information about abortions in Delaware and their legal right to get one can call the Department of Justice’s abortion helpline at 877-312-2366 or visit attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/executive/abortionhelpline.
Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on Twitter at @h_edelman.
