Washington state has purchased a three-year supply of abortion pills as a safeguard to abortion rights. The purchase comes as a federal judge in Texas will soon decide whether FDA-approved abortion drug Mifepristone should be taken off the market.
Washington has spent $1.3 million to secure a stockpile of the abortion pills which were delivered during the week of March 26. The next step in the process is delivering the 30,000 pills to health providers across the state.
The governor’s office says by purchasing Mifepristone now, it protects the state’s access to abortion pills no matter which way the Texas judge rules.
“Washington state will not allow a judge in Texas to deny the right of Washington women to this safe drug. We will not sit idly by. We have to recognize these threats will continue, and our actions will continue to preserve the right of choice in the state of Washington,” said Gov. Jay Inslee, D-Wash.
According to the Washington State Department of Health, there are 800 abortions by pill conducted each month. Medication abortions account for 60% of abortions in the state.
