...
By Amir Daftari
News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to address abortion rights in Georgia, a state now grappling with the tragic deaths of two women linked to complications from abortion pills despite experts declaring the pills are "safe."
Amber Thurman died after waiting 20 hours for medical treatment following the use of abortion pills, marking the first publicly reported case of a woman dying due to delayed care associated with state abortion restrictions. Similarly, Candi Miller, who suffered from lupus, diabetes, and hypertension, also died after taking pills ordered online.
An autopsy revealed fetal tissue that had not been expelled; however, the state's maternal mortality review committee did not attribute her death to the medication.
Read More on News
...
Experts emphasize that the abortion pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, remain safe and effective options for terminating early pregnancies. Mifepristone was approved by the FDA in 2000, demonstrating a high success rate of 97.4% for completing an abortion. While there are rare instances of excessive bleeding that may require emergency care, the FDA has repeatedly reaffirmed the drug's safety profile.
Over the years, the agency has eased many restrictions on mifepristone, culminating in a 2021 decision that allowed the medication to be mailed directly to patients.
The deaths of Thurman and Miller come at a time when abortion access is a contentious issue across the country. Critics of the current regulations argue that the FDA's easing of restrictions has contributed to an increase in emergency complications. However, medical professionals counter that only a tiny fraction of patients—less than 0.32%—experience major adverse effects.
Dr. Ushma Upadhyay, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, notes that many ER visits following medication abortions do not necessarily indicate serious complications. Instead, patients often seek reassurance or answers to their questions rather than requiring immediate medical intervention.
...
Harris's upcoming address underscores the urgent need for informed discussions about reproductive health in a state struggling with strict abortion laws and the tragic consequences they can produce. Advocates for mifepristone highlight that its safety profile is comparable to many common medications, such as ibuprofen while arguing safety is critical to ensure continued access to these health resources.
The situation in Georgia not only highlights individual tragedies but also illustrates the broader national discourse on abortion access and the implications of restrictive laws on women's health outcomes.
As Harris prepares to speak, the stakes are high for women across the country.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines