Author: Jamila Perritt

Dr. Jamila Perritt is an OB-GYN in D.C. and president and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health.

Junk In, Junk Out: The Senate HELP Hearing Confirmed What We Already Knew About the War on Medication Abortion

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On Jan. 14, the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing deceptively titled “Protecting Women: Exposing the Dangers of Chemical Abortion Drugs.”

Rather than offering new evidence or legitimate oversight, the hearing played out exactly as reproductive health experts warned: a partisan exercise in recycling debunked claims, elevating junk science and laying the groundwork for further restrictions on the most commonly used abortion medication in the United States.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), a senior member and former chair of the HELP Committee, dismantled the premise of the hearing, calling out Republicans for using the committee to advance a political agenda rather than public health. “We all know this hearing is not about safety—it’s about banning abortion nationwide.”

Anti-Medicine, Anti-Science and Antiabortion: Preparing for Trump’s Incoming Cabinet

Since the election was decided in November, like many people, I have been paying close attention to the individuals selected for appointment by the incoming Trump administration. As an OB-GYN and abortion provider, I know firsthand that these appointees will have a direct and devastating impact on our community’s access to healthcare, public health and social safety net infrastructure and our ability to be well.

Collaboratively, these cabinet picks have gained popularity by way of anti-intellectualism, misinformation and scare tactics, ultimately preying on the most vulnerable members of our community. They are not just poorly qualified to lead this work—they are dangerous.