California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the case of Bryant v. Stein, aiming to protect access to mifepristone in North Carolina. The brief was submitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and urges the court to uphold a district court's decision that prevents North Carolina from imposing restrictions on mifepristone that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed unnecessary for patient safety.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the safety and effectiveness of medication abortion, stating, "For decades, medication abortion has been recognized not only as effective but so safe that it presents lower risks of serious complications than taking Tylenol or getting a colonoscopy." He further highlighted the importance of maintaining access to mifepristone as part of essential healthcare services.
Mifepristone is used for critical reproductive care, including abortions and miscarriage treatment. It allows individuals to receive care early when it is safest and least invasive. This accessibility is particularly vital for people in rural or underserved areas.
In 2023, North Carolina revised its laws regarding pregnancy termination by introducing several restrictions on mifepristone use. These included physician-only prescribing, mandatory in-person appointments for prescribing and administering the drug, follow-up visits, and reporting non-fatal adverse events to the FDA.
A federal district court judge ruled that while North Carolina could impose certain abortion care restrictions, it could not override FDA decisions concerning mifepristone. The coalition's amicus brief supports this ruling as balancing state authority with FDA regulation.
The attorneys general argue that mifepristone has been safely used since its FDA approval decades ago. They contend that North Carolina's reinstated restrictions contradict those removed by the FDA after careful consideration of patient safety and access.
Joining Attorney General Bonta are his counterparts from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Washington and the District of Columbia.