LA city, county leaders denounce federal court ruling on abortion pill

Mayor Karen Bass and LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath joined Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles on Monday in denouncing a ruling by a federal judge in Texas that would revoke the FDA's approval of mifepristone, an abortion pill that's been in use in the United States for more than two decades.

Bass and Horvath also vowed they will work to keep the city and county as safe havens for women seeking access to reproductive health care.

"When the opinions of scientists and medical professionals are bypassed by judges, lives are put at risk," Bass said at a morning news conference. "But we cannot allow this ruling to cause us to despair — it must drive us to take action.

"For as long as I serve as mayor," she added, "I will do all I can to ensure that Los Angeles remains a safe haven for women across the country who are seeking access to abortion care and reproductive freedom."

Horvath echoed Bass' statements, saying, "Let it be clear: We are committed to providing safe, affordable and compassionate care for every person who seeks a full range of reproductive services, including abortion, in Los Angeles County."

Their comments followed a Friday ruling by U.S. District Judge Matthew

Kacsmaryk in Texas that ordered a hold on the Food and Drug Administration's approval of mifepristone, which is part of a two-drug combination. The Biden administration has vowed to appeal the ruling, which would not go into effect for seven days.

Meanwhile, another federal judge — this one in Washington state — issued a contradictory ruling on Friday, ordering the FDA to maintain availability of mifepristone. The two rulings are likely to set up a showdown in the U.S. Supreme Court over the issue.

The ruling by Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee confirmed to the bench in

2019, was in favor of the anti-abortion group Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. That group argued the FDA fast-tracked approval without sufficient scientific evidence, using a regulatory process intended for treatments for life-threatening illnesses.

"Pregnancy is not an illness, and chemical abortion drugs don't provide a therapeutic benefit — they can pose serious and lifethreatening complications to the mother, in addition to ending a baby's life," attorney Erik nationwide.

Defending Freedom, which argued the case for Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine and other groups, said in a statement. "The FDA never had the authority to approve these hazardous drugs or to remove important safeguards. This is a significant victory for the doctors and medical associations we represent and, more importantly, the health and safety of women and girls."

"This decision is an outright attack on our rights and our ability to make decisions about our own futures," said Sue Dunlap, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of LA. "Abortion is essential healthcare, and we remain committed to ensuring our patients have access to the services they need."

Baptist of Alliance

See A bortion pill Page 36

Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles said the consequences of the judge's ruling could go as far as taking mifepristone off the market

By City News Service By City News Service

Planned Parenthood of LA has been working with state, county and cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach and West Hollywood to prepare for the impact of the ruling.

California AG moves to force improvements at LA County juvenile halls

Calling Los Angeles County's juvenile halls "appalling," state Attorney General Rob Bonta said Wednesday his office has filed court papers seeking to force the county to immediately remedy "illegal and unsafe" conditions in the facilities.

The motion filed in Los Angeles Superior Court asks for an order requiring the county to comply with a 2021 judgment ordering improvements in conditions at juvenile halls, including improved staffing levels and ensuring that youth in the county's care are taken to school and medical appointments.

"The conditions within the juvenile detention centers in Los Angeles County are appalling," Bonta said in a statement. "Every child in our state is entitled to a safe, homelike environment. For justice-involved youth in particular, it is imperative that our institutions give them every opportunity for rehabilitation, growth, and healing. We are responsible for protecting justice-involved youth and ensuring they receive educational, health, and supportive services necessary to stop the cycle of incarceration."

There was no immediate response from the county about the AG's Office action.

The county Board of Supervisors has been struggling to overhaul the troubled juvenile justice system even as it prepares to assume responsibility for youth being transferred to counties from the state's soon-to-close Juvenile Justice facilities.

The board recently voted to advance a "Global Plan" for the placement and care of

See J uvenile halls Page 17

The West Covina Press has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number KS017304 City of West Covina, County