ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on care delivery of medication abortion and evolution of practices throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Medication abortion utilizes mifepristone and misoprostol (or misoprostol only) to terminate pregnancy. Due to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy applied to mifepristone, all mifepristone pre-pandemic was required to be dispensed in-person by a licensed medical provider. After significant advocacy, the FDA announced intermittent temporary repeals, then later its permanent repeal of the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone. The telehealth care for medication abortion protocol was also developed to minimize physical contact amidst the pandemic. This protocol has the potential to reduce inequities, particularly given women of color, women of lower incomes, and women living in rural areas are disproportionately impacted by abortion restrictions. Recent research demonstrates that telehealth care for medication abortion is safe and effective and may remain a permanently viable alternative in many states.
