Women Shared Their Abortion Stories with the Supreme Court. Their Goal? To Defend Access to Abortion Pills.
Synopsis
In the spring of 2024, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments in a case brought by an anti-abortion group to challenge FDA approval of mifepristone, one of two drugs used for medication abortions.
Medication abortion, otherwise known as abortion pills, is the most common method of abortion used in the United States. Abortion pills are available through telemedicine, or virtual appointments, in all 50 states.
Ahead of the Supreme Court case, ten women, under the pseudonym “the Jane Libertys,” filed a “friend of the court” brief sharing their safe, private, and comfortable experiences receiving abortion pills via telemedicine. Their stories illustrate how pills by mail have become a lifeline for pregnant people, especially in states with abortion bans and restrictions. Some shared how abortion pills allowed them to make decisions freely and without obstacles, while others described the value of having an abortion in a secure, private setting. Together, they express a shared gratitude for the continued availability of abortion pills by mail.
These stories are “everyday stories,” Julie Kay, the co-founder and executive director of the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, told Abortion in America, “Telemedicine is a straightforward safe, affordable and effective option for those who choose it.”
Ultimately, the Supreme Court ruled that the anti-abortion group that filed the case lacked legal standing to challenge the approval of medication abortion, though the fight to defend access to pills by mail is far from over.
Read some of the personal accounts of the “Jane Libertys” below.
Jane Liberty #1
…I live in a suburban area, and after I suspected I was pregnant, I went to the women’s health center in my town where the pregnancy was confirmed. My boyfriend and I decided to seek an abortion and considered different options. The women’s center in my town does not provide abortions, and I had to
look into the procedure on my own. I considered going to an in-person clinic in a city about a one-hour drive away for an abortion, but while I was in the process of making the in-person appointment, my boyfriend saw a social media video in his feed where a girl discussed telemedicine abortion providers. I looked into the provider, and submitted my information on their website. The cost of the procedure at the in-person clinic would have been $600, however the medication abortion cost significantly less.
The in-person procedure would have not only required at least a one-hour drive each way, it would also have required that I miss more work, whereas I only took off one day from work for my medication abortion at home and I actually don’t even think I needed that day off. The medication abortion was not only more convenient, it was also more discreet. I felt safer and so much more comfortable at home in my own environment. I had been warned about potential protests at the in person clinic…
Jane Liberty #2
…I chose medication abortion via telemedicine for two main reasons. First, the privacy and anonymity of being able to self-manage my abortion made telemedicine the only option I considered. I was able to choose when to take the pills to start the abortion process and was able to do so over a weekend so as not to miss any work. Second, the cost of abortion via telemedicine was significantly less than an in-person clinical option. This was and is extremely important to me, as neither I or my then-partner were financially stable…
Jane Liberty #5
…I couldn’t take off work with such short notice, find childcare, and going to a facility would be expensive. I found out about my telemedicine provider on the internet. It was the best choice for me, my partner, and my family. I think I found out about my telemedicine provider on Saturday, filled out their
questionnaire and answered their questions on a Monday, and confirmed my identity with the telemedicine provider. It was very smooth. My telemedicine provider told me that if I needed additional support, there was a confidential number I could call. With the medication abortion, I was able to go through my daily life schedule the day of my abortion. I took the medication right after work and followed the directions. My telemedicine provider provided a paper with visual depictions of what to do and deep, thorough instructions on how to use the medication. I had no confusion about what to do next and what was to follow. I took some ibuprofen before, and while I had some cramping and a heavier period, I was able to go along with my daily life. It was Christmas weekend when I had my medication abortion, and I was still able to visit family and celebrate the holiday. After my abortion, I felt relief that that chapter was done.
Jane Liberty #10
…I considered other alternatives to the telemedicine provider I ended up choosing, but the other programs didn’t seem to fit with my needs at the time. The provider I chose was heartwarming and connected with me and my story. The nearest reproductive healthcare clinic offering medication abortions is located 6 hours away…
Women Shared Their Abortion Stories with the Supreme Court. Their Goal? To Defend Access to Abortion Pills.
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