Gov. Tina Kotek announced Thursday that she has ordered and secured a three-year supply of the abortion drug mifepristone for Oregon following a Texas federal judge’s ruling that revoked the government’s approval of the drug.
Kotek’s office said in a release that the state has partnered with Oregon Health & Science University to stockpile 22,500 doses of mifepristone to “ensure that reproductive health providers across the state maintain access and provide patients with safe and effective miscarriage management and Continue abortion care.
“Here in Oregon, I will ensure that patients can access the drugs they need and that providers can provide those drugs without unnecessary, political, and intimidation interference and intimidation,” Kotek said in the release. “To our providers, to patients who live in Oregon or have to come to our state for care, and to those who help people access the care they need, know that I have your back.”
The Food and Drug Administration first approved this drug in 2000. It is part of a two-stage regimen to terminate a pregnancy and is used in the management of miscarriage.
Kotek criticized U.S. District Judge Matthew Kaksmarik’s decision after it was announced. He reiterated his displeasure on Thursday, calling the lawsuit “baseless” and part of a “larger campaign to ban abortion in all states, including those with legal protections for abortion access.”
“We cannot stand by and watch our fundamental right to reproductive health protection be denied,” the first-term governor said.
The U.S. Department of Justice appealed the federal court ruling, and on Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court extended the stay of the drug ban until 11:59 p.m. Friday. Mifepristone remains available as the case moves through the federal court system.
Kotek also directs state licensing boards to mandate that Oregon will support providers who prescribe, dispense, and use drugs and other reproductive care.
And the governor will deny extradition without extradition to individuals for criminal prosecution related to accessing or providing reproductive health services in the state, the statement said.
Kotek also celebrated the ruling in Washington, which came shortly after the Texas decision.
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Oregon is not the first state to declare a drug reserve pending a Supreme Court ruling on the decision.
Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healy announced that he ordered the University of Massachusetts Amherst to buy 15,000 pills. In Washington, Governor Jay Inslee announced Ordered a three-year supply of drugs that arrived on March 31. And in California, Governor Gavin Newsom secured an emergency stockpile of up to 2 million pills. he announced on April 10.
Diane Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and related issues. Reach him [email protected] or on Twitter @DianneLugo.
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