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 feel very good about the medical care I received through the provider. The process was very in depth and thorough. There were multiple steps in the process, and the provider provided very comprehensive information about what to expect during each phase of the medication abortion. I was nervous before taking the medicine about the pain I expected and what the experience would be like, but my actual experience was as positive as possible. It was calm and not the negative, traumatic and painful experience I was expecting. Afterwards, I felt so relieved emotionally. I feel like I still have room to be myself and find myself as a 23 year-old instead of having to forego that.
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…
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 #9
…I researched online and found referrals to telemedicine medication abortion providers. They responded quickly and were extremely informative. When I received the pills, an informational sheet came with them, which I found to be enormously helpful and alleviated any need I might have had for contacting the provider during the abortion process. I had no negative side effects or complications. After the abortion, I felt only relief that I was no longer pregnant and relief that I could access the necessary medication.
I had a great experience with my medication abortion. The providers were very responsive and helpful. I was able to be in the privacy of my own home and self-manage my abortion. My partner was able to be with me during the entire process. These are things I felt made my abortion experience a positive one. My experience has shown me that abortion is healthcare, just like any other form of healthcare. I don’t think my personal abortion story is different or unique; on the whole, I think that abortion is incredibly common and needs to be talked about more often. I’m sharing my story in the hope that anything I can say will make this experience easier for other women.
Jane Liberty #5
I want to let other women know that it is ok to talk about abortion. I will share my story with anyone who will hear it. This is a part of medical healthcare. It is important to stand in solidarity with women, regardless of the state they live in. Accessibility is more than just having access to the medicine, it should be affordable too.
Jane Liberty #6
…I would like to tell the Supreme Court that abortion care provided through telemedicine is reliable, and it is a safety net for people who might not consider getting an abortion if they were forced to see someone in-person. Every side needs to be heard because not all abortion stories are the same.
Jane Liberty #7
…The telemedicine provider provided accurate instructions and information, and I felt properly informed about the process. I liked the information they provided because, having gone through a prior medication abortion, I knew the reality of what to expect in terms of pain and the actual process itself. I took the medication at home on a Monday and took that day off work. Afterward, I experienced some pain and I reached out to the telemedicine provider regarding pain management, and they were responsive and timely in those communications. It was a positive experience, and I would recommend them to other women seeking abortion or miscarriage care.
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