PORTLAND, OR -- Abortion advocates in Oregon are preparing for another legal fight, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Kenji Nozaki, Interim CEO of Planned Parenthood Columbia-Willamette, says further restricting medication abortions could significantly impact rural Oregonians and those in marginalized communities. "In December, the Supreme Court announced that sometime this year they will hear oral arguments on the commonly used medication abortion pill Mifepristone, that could potentially make it far less accessible."

Speaking alongside Nozaki, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden said Tuesday, "This would set a very dangerous precedent." The Democrat says medications are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. He believes judges should not be allowed to alter those guidelines. "There’s an effort to put federal restrictions on access to this drug under those rules. And make no mistake about it: Oregon is not exempt from those federal rules."

Wyden says one of his top priorities for 2024 is protecting access to medication abortion. He worries further restricting Mifepristone could include allowing law enforcement access to personal medical information without a warrant. "I’m very concerned about privacy issues, because the Dobbs decision, to a great extent, gave the green light to what I call ‘uterus surveillance.’"

Among other elements of the case, the High Court could be asked to ban Mifepristone from the mail. "We send more dangerous meds through the mail. I can send narcotics through the mail. And Mifepristone is incredibly safe," Dr. Alison Edelman, an OBGYN professor at OHSU, said Tuesday. She believes such a decision would significantly limit access to abortion, even in states where it’s legal, especially for women who aren't able to come into a clinic. "Whatever the outcome in these legal cases, we want to assure you that OHSU and our community partners, like Planned Parenthood, remain committed to providing the full continuum of sexual and reproductive healthcare to all who seek it."

OHSU Director for the Center for Women’s Health Dr. Maria Rodriguez says Mifepristone is one of two drugs used in medication abortions. "We can, of course, have abortion with Misoprostol alone, and we’re prepared to do so. But it has more side effects and is not as successful." She says that one-drug protocol increases the chance of complications requiring hospitalization.