What's Next for Policy & Advocacy Facing the Supreme Court’s Abortion Medication Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court announced it would extend its temporary pause on a lower court ruling that would restrict the availability of mifepristone, an FDA-approved drug used in medication abortions and other healthcare treatments. This keeps the drug at least temporarily available for now.

Trends in Online Attention Show Reaction to Supreme Court Decision

In anticipation of the Supreme Court decision on mifepristone, advocacy groups have started to mobilize their supporters. FiscalNote’s Predata, a global risk intelligence platform that monitors online attention, detected a recent uptick in traffic to the websites of anti-abortion groups, suggesting they might be activating advocates ahead of the expected ruling.

Predata observed traffic to both anti- and pro-abortion groups’ websites. For anti-abortion sites, such as Live Action, Focus on the Family, and CatholicVote, an increase started after April 10. In contrast, traffic to the abortion-rights groups’ websites monitored was below average recently, ahead of the expected decision.

The U.S. general public predictably paid the most online attention to abortion access in Texas and Florida, out of all 50 states, since Texas District Judge Kacsmaryk’s ruling on April 7. After Texas and Florida, online research rose the next highest to web pages on abortion access in three states led by Democratic governors: California, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

This research pattern suggests the U.S. general public grasps the nationwide implications of Kacsmaryk’s ruling on mifepristone, indicating interest in abortion issues even in states where legislation protects abortion rights. Compared to a similar period just before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, interest in abortion issues this time around also includes Indiana and Ohio.

Fast-Moving Emerging Healthcare Policy

The high-stakes Supreme Court decision on this case will come less than a year after its ruling overturning the constitutional right to an abortion. As with that ruling, organizations within the healthcare industry will be impacted most immediately. But non-impacted organizations might still feel the effects while trying to keep their issues front and center.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court decision on mifepristone is just one example of the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare policy and regulation in the United States. This ruling is the crest of a wave of policy related to abortion that the country has seen in recent years.

How Technology Can Help Your Organization Stay Nimble

The Supreme Court decision on mifepristone highlights the importance of policy and advocacy in the healthcare industry. Healthcare organizations need to invoke fast-moving advocacy strategies and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure their issues are heard, and to stay informed about the latest legislative and regulatory changes. This is especially critical for organizations that provide reproductive healthcare services, manufacture and distribute drugs, as they may face significant operational challenges as a result of the decision. Single-issue organizations where the decision is central to their key efforts are also likely to be scrambling.

On both sides of the issue, organizations need to make sure their interests are protected and their supporters informed and active about the latest decision or impending changes. Without the right tools, it’s almost impossible to stay on top of every update or small language amendment in a fast-moving environment that could have big implications. With the right team members, technology, and strategies in place, organizations can stay ahead of the curve and navigate these complex issues with confidence.

FiscalNote is the only comprehensive issues management system built for the healthcare industry. Our suite of solutions provides organizations in this space with legislative and regulatory intelligence from local to global levels, and the capacity to act for change, so they can stay on top of issues that could affect their operations.

That’s why multiple healthcare organizations like AstraZeneca, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, and BioCryst Pharmaceuticals rely on FiscalNote to monitor a wide range of healthcare issues at the local, federal, state, and global levels, from drug pricing and healthcare access to funding and provisions.

With FiscalNote, you can monitor regulatory agencies, track legislation at every level of government, and analyze policy changes. VoterVoice, FiscalNote’s powerful advocacy solution powered by AI, lets you empower advocates to take action so you can move the needle. Having these tools at your disposal ensures you can act quickly when emerging legislation demands you make informed decisions, mobilize supporters, and stay compliant overnight. From drug regulation to insurance issues to public health emergencies, FiscalNote has you covered.

Lydia Stowe contributed to this article.