Congressional Republicans have raised questions for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following the agency’s disclosure that a safety review of the abortion drug mifepristone won’t be public until March. The FDA, in a recent court filing, expects to complete a safety study by mid-December. A report of the findings is anticipated by March 2027. This will guide potential new restrictions or changes on the drug’s usage.
Mifepristone, combined with misoprostol, forms the most common abortion regimen in the U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) expressed concerns in a letter, questioning whether the FDA reviews adequate data about potential adverse events. He urged acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas to ensure that the review includes data post-2023, after the Biden administration eased restrictions to expand mifepristone availability. This includes data from recipients via mail.
In April 2021, the FDA announced it would not enforce in-person dispensing requirements for mifepristone during the COVID-19 emergency. By January 2023, the FDA modified mifepristone’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), eliminating in-person dispensing and permitting certified pharmacies to dispense the drug.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) demanded in a strongly worded letter that Diamantas release the study immediately upon completion, instead of waiting until March for a formal report. He also called for a commitment from the FDA on whether it plans to reinstate the in-person dispensing requirement beforehand. Roy even threatened to reintroduce an amendment to the FDA’s appropriations bill, aiming to prohibit funding for regulations allowing mifepristone to be mailed and pharmacy-dispensed. Roy warned, “House Republicans cannot be expected to continue funding the January 2023 REMS modifications indefinitely while the FDA extends its review without committing to corrective action.”
Welcome to The Hill’s Healthcare newsletter with Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi, providing weekly updates on how Washington’s decisions impact your health.
Essential Reads
Here’s how policy is impacting the healthcare sector this week and beyond:
- ObamaCare enrollment dropped by over 4.5 million in the past year according to health research organization KFF. Enrollment decreased from 25.2 million in 2025 to 20.5 million in June 2026, marking an 18% drop, coinciding with the expiration of COVID-era premium tax credits.
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Gerber Products Co. and Nestlé USA Inc., alleging Gerber’s baby food contains unsafe levels of toxic metals, citing the company’s tests showing toxic metals.
- Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) criticized the Trump administration for insufficient promotion of vaccinations amid a deadly measles outbreak.
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In Other News
Branch out with alternate reads from The Hill:
- Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) questions Elon Musk over Ukraine’s loss of military access to Starlink, hoping it was an error and not intentional.
Around the Nation
Local and state healthcare headlines:
- California’s proposed billionaire tax offers healthcare relief, though details remain unclear (KFF Health News).
- A Texas woman is suing an anti-abortion group under state law after it allegedly ordered abortion pills online (Texas Tribune).
- Idaho mothers and grandmothers are advocating for abortion rights door-to-door (The 19th).
What We’re Reading
Noteworthy health news from various outlets:
- Guinea-Bissau denies approving controversial vaccine trials in newborns (The Guardian).
- Walmart expands benefits, covering GLP-1s, inhalers, and insulin for employees for free (CNBC).
- Lobbyists and trade groups work to influence state regulations on medical AI (Stat).
You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!