Thread by @ACLU

We’re at the Supreme Court this week fighting a Trump administration policy that forces patients to risk COVID-19 exposure in order to get abortion care.

Here’s what you should know ⬇️

The policy forces patients to pick up mifepristone, a medication used for early abortion care, in person at a hospital, clinic, or medical office — even when they’ve already been seen by a clinician via telehealth or at a prior in-person visit.

The FDA is letting patients get nearly all other drugs by mail during this pandemic to reduce COVID-19 exposure.

⚠️ Only ⚠️ mifepristone has to be picked up at a clinic – even though it can be taken later at home.

Forcing patients to travel during a pandemic just to pick up a pill is irrational and dangerous, which is why the medical community uniformly opposes this senseless rule.

Here’s what doctors have told us:

"My patient from a Native community had to drive several hours each way from a COVID-19 hotspot to my office, risking additional COVID-19 exposure for herself, the clinic staff, and anyone with whom she came into contact along the way, simply to pick up a medication." — Dr. E, NM

"My low-income patients who are still working during the COVID-19 crisis are often afraid to ask for time off to come to an appointment for fear of losing a much-needed job, and are concerned about losing the wages their families so desperately need." — Dr. C, CA

"My patient had no one to care for her three young children, so she had to bring them with her. They were all put at risk of viral exposure as they made a medically unnecessary trip to our health center in a borrowed car" — Dr. F, DC/MD

People who need an abortion during a pandemic shouldn’t be punished for it.

We hope the Supreme Court denies this cruel attempt to do so.