New Mexico Governor Warns of Potential National Abortion Ban

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham warns of potential national abortion ban
The Democratic lawmaker said that a national ban is almost guaranteed when officials use federal courts to restrict access to the procedure
Grisham previously signed into law two bills protecting abortion providers as well as guaranteeing reproductive and gender-affirming care

On Sunday, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed her worries that the United States would later enforce a national ban on abortion access as state legislatures and courts continue to restrict the procedure across the nation.

The Democratic lawmaker said that a national ban could be on the table when officials use federal courts to bar and ban access in various areas. The New Mexico governor recently signed two bills into law that sought to protect abortion providers and guarantee citizens access to reproductive and gender-affirming care.

Potential National Abortion Ban

The passing of the two bills comes as a Texas judge ordered the suspension of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of mifepristone, an abortion pill. It is one of only two approved drugs that are used to cause a termination of pregnancy, as per Politico.

Several states that support abortion access have already begun to stockpile mifepristone as the drug is now in the hands of the courts. However, Grisham said that authorities need to do more than build up a storage of the abortion pill.

The New Mexico governor said that we need to ensure we continue to have access to such medications moving forward. Grisham's comments came during an interview with Margaret Brennan. She noted that if officials only stockpile mifepristone, they minimize the work they need to do to maintain access to abortion.

Grisham's legislation did not restrict when during a woman's pregnancy she could get an abortion. The New Mexico governor added that the new conditions were "horrific." He argued that her position was that no one should interfere with a woman's right over her medical situation and her decision regarding potential life-threatening circumstances.

Texas Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk's decision to suspend the FDA approval of mifepristone came after the drug has been approved for the last two decades as a safe and effective abortion pill. After an appeal court ruling, the drug was allowed to be used under certain restrictions, which include not being sent through the mail, according to The Hill.

Providing Gender-Affirming Care

It was seen as one of the latest developments in restricting access to abortion following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, essentially removing the Constitutional right to abortion.

In a news release, Grisham said that every person in New Mexico deserved to be protected for their bodily autonomy and right to health care. The governor's HB7, or the Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Freedom Act, prohibits any public body from imposing laws, ordinances, policies, or regulations that would curb patients' access to reproductive or gender-affirming care.

Violating the newly-signed laws could result in fines of $5,000 or damages if the amount is greater than that threshold. It follows previously-passed ordinances that several state municipalities have implemented related to abortion care access, said CNN.