Photo: Ford, Brad
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that Washington state has taken unprecedented action to purchase a three-year supply of mifepristone, an abortion medication used safely for more than two decades. Inslee directed the state Department of Corrections, using its existing pharmacy license, to purchase the medication last month. The full shipment was delivered on March 31.
Inslee was joined at a press conference today by legislators who are introducing legislation authorizing the state Department of Corrections to distribute or sell the medication to licensed health providers across the state, and by Attorney General Bob Ferguson who is helping lead a multi-state lawsuit aiming to protect access to the medication.
These actions come as a Trump-appointed judge in Texas is poised to issue a ruling any day that would order the Food and Drug Administration to rescind its approval of mifepristone. Such a ruling would effectively end the ability of providers or pharmacists nationwide to purchase the medication.
Purchasing the medication now ensures it will remain available to providers and patients in Washington, regardless of the Texas ruling.
The legislation that would authorize DOC to distribute or sell the medication is sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser and Rep. Jessica Bateman.
Source: Washington Governor's Office