Great Lakes Wire

Catholic Vote President Brian Burch criticizes Democrat Governors like Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mi.) for urging the Supreme Court to allow abortion pills to be available without a physician’s authorization. 

"Abortion supporters continue to work to undermine the ability of pro-life states to restrict abortions in the post Roe v. Wade era," Burch said. "Bypassing the need for doctors to prescribe abortion-inducing pills puts the safety of women at risk."

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, pro-abortion states turned to easing access to the abortion pill mifepristone. A Food and Drug Administration decision allowed for the medication to be prescribed by non-physicians through telemed appointments and mailed to patients. A lower court had blocked the FDA's decision, ruling that the FDA did not explain its decision or address safety concerns.

Pro-abortion state Democratic governors argue that there is a physician shortage, and that affirming the lower court would hamper their ability to provide easier access to an abortion and create a backlog of doctor appointments not just for abortion, but for things such as cancer screenings. Regardless of the outcome in the Supreme Court, both sides have vowed to continue the fight over the legality of and access to the drug.

Last year, Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk of the Northern District of Texas, invalidated the FDA's approval of mifepristone. Soon after, a three-judge panel in the Fifth Circuit allowed access to the drug but imposed restrictions on it.

Madison, Wisconsin-based Catholic Vote is an advocacy organization that wants to “inspire every Catholic in America to live out the truths of our faith in public life,” according to the group’s website. Founded in 2008, its president is Brian Burch.