New York Attorney General Letitia James has addressed the ongoing debate surrounding medication abortion, particularly in response to a lawsuit filed by the Texas Attorney General against a New York doctor who provides telehealth abortion services.
In her statement, Attorney General James emphasized the long-standing use and safety of medication abortion, noting its approval by the FDA nearly 25 years ago. She criticized efforts to limit access to these medications, stating that such attempts have repeatedly failed in courts, including at the U.S. Supreme Court level.
James remarked, "Medication abortion has been used by millions of people since it was first approved by the FDA nearly 25 years ago. For years, we have seen unwarranted attempts to restrict access to these medications, with anti-choice actors even bringing the issue before the U.S. Supreme Court."
She further asserted that restricting access does not benefit Americans but rather causes harm. "Restricting access to these pills doesn't help Americans; it harms them," she said.
Highlighting New York's stance on reproductive rights, James pointed out the state's shield law designed to protect healthcare providers from external legal challenges related to reproductive services. "That’s why we enacted our shield law, establishing New York as a beacon of reproductive freedom and protecting our providers from out-of-state anti-choice attacks," she stated.
Attorney General James concluded her remarks with a commitment to safeguarding reproductive rights and ensuring access to essential healthcare services: "I will continue to protect people’s reproductive rights and access to life-saving health care."