KQED's Forum California at the Center of New Legal Battles Over Abortion
Aug 19, 2025
Mary Ziegler, a law professor specializing in reproductive rights, and Shefali Luthra, a reproductive health reporter, dive into California's complex legal battles over abortion rights post-Roe v. Wade. They discuss how lawsuits are threatening providers and patients alike, the controversial decision of major retailers like Costco to avoid stocking abortion medications, and the tension between healthcare practices and religious beliefs. With a focus on the implications for both Californians and national trends, the conversation sheds light on the shifting landscape of reproductive healthcare.
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Remove Prescriber Names To Reduce Risk
- Shield-law states are removing prescriber names from medication labels to reduce legal risk.
- If California passes similar rules, it will significantly protect many mailed prescriptions currently filled there.
Corporate Pressure As A New Front
- Corporate decisions by retailers like Costco can shape practical access even where state law protects abortion.
- Anti-abortion groups increasingly press corporations as an alternate front to restrict access.
FDA Review Is Still Only A Signal
- HHS under RFK has directed an FDA review of mifepristone, but no policy changes have yet occurred.
- That review is largely a political signal until the FDA acts or changes rules.
