As Louisiana prepares to enforce a controversial new law on October 1, 2024, the Louisiana Abortion Fund has issued a sharp critique of the state’s decision to categorize the widely used abortion medications mifepristone and misoprostol as “controlled dangerous substances.” Executive Director Chasity Wilson spoke out against the move, warning of the potentially devastating impact on maternal health in a state already grappling with some of the worst maternal mortality rates in the country.
“Mifepristone and misoprostol are safe, effective, and essential drugs that have long been a cornerstone of reproductive healthcare,” Wilson stated. She emphasized that the criminalization of these medications, which are frequently used for both medication abortions and managing miscarriages, will exacerbate an already dire situation for birthing people in Louisiana.
Wilson also highlighted the disproportionate harm this new law is expected to inflict on marginalized communities. With Louisiana being one of the states with the highest incarceration rates globally, she argued that the new restrictions will likely worsen mass incarceration trends. The law, she said, would primarily impact Black, Brown, LGBTQIA+, and immigrant populations, pushing safe and necessary medication even further out of reach for these vulnerable groups.
In her statement, Wilson condemned the state’s lawmakers for targeting citizens who seek to exercise control over their reproductive health, arguing that the law is a betrayal of Louisiana’s core values. Despite these challenges, she affirmed that the Louisiana Abortion Fund remains committed to its mission of helping residents access abortion care in a climate of increasing restrictions.
The law marks another escalation in the ongoing battle over abortion rights in Louisiana, with advocates warning that it will have far-reaching consequences for healthcare access across the state.
