Governor Tina Kotek released the following statement after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay effectively creating a nationwide ban on prescribing mifepristone via telehealth, saying that the abortion medication can only be distributed in person and at clinics:

“This is a dangerous ruling. This ruling threatens the ability of Oregonians to receive essential health care and disproportionately impacts rural parts of the state and those with limited resources to travel to receive clinical care. Abortion is essential reproductive health care. Mifepristone is safe and effective, and it is recommended by the Society of Family Planning and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Health care should be left to patients and their medical providers. I will continue to fight for continued access to reproductive health care for any Oregonian who needs it.”

Prior to today's ruling, patients were able to receive mifepristone without the requirement of an in-person visit with a clinician. However, this ruling has removed the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) guidance which allowed this safe and evidence-based practice to improve patient access to care.

Governor Kotek has taken steps to protect Oregonians from decisions made outside of the state. This includes securing a supply of mifepristone to mitigate prior attempts to interfere with accessing this key medication.

Reproductive health equity is a long-time priority for Governor Kotek, both from her time as Speaker of the Oregon House and during her tenure as Governor. She has consistently fought to ensure that Oregonians have access to all types of reproductive health care, including abortion services. As Speaker, she worked to pass the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) in 2017. Then, as Governor, she directed regulators to ensure that insurers were in full compliance with the law including corrective action plans and ongoing monitoring, and she signed bills into law that protect providers from prosecution for providing health care.

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