JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On Thursday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier declared legal action against Planned Parenthood, challenging the organization’s assertions regarding the safety of abortion medications.
The lawsuit targets Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. and Planned Parenthood Florida Action Inc., accusing them of allegedly misleading women by suggesting that abortion drugs carry fewer risks than common painkillers. Uthmeier’s office contends that these claims downplay the “critical and undeniable risks associated with chemical abortions.”
Uthmeier is pursuing up to $350 million in penalties, calculated at $10,000 for each of the approximately 35,000 chemical abortions performed. The lawsuit also seeks further remedies, which could include the restructuring or dissolution of the defendants’ operations or the suspension and revocation of their state licenses and permits.
The lawsuit draws attention to a post by Planned Parenthood Florida Action on X, which shared an article from the website Jezebel. The article asserts that Mifepristone, a drug used in medical abortions, is “safer than Tylenol.” The post elaborates with the following statement:
“Mifepristone is safe. Safer than Tylenol, safer than Viagra, and safer than the GOP. In fact, it might even have the potential to reduce the risk of breast cancer, but the right’s assault on the medication has halted and defunded crucial research.”
Planned Parenthood’s official website echoes similar sentiments, claiming that “medication abortion is very safe. In fact, it’s safer than many other medicines like penicillin, Tylenol, and Viagra. Serious problems are rare, but like all medicines, there can be risks.” This perspective is referenced in the lawsuit, which includes statements from Laura Goodhue, the executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates.
Mifepristone has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration since 2000 “to end an intrauterine pregnancy through ten weeks.”
The lawsuit also claims that, through its “misrepresentation,” Planned Parenthood violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and “constituted a pattern” of racketeering under the Florida Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act.
“It is vile that Planned Parenthood cares more about lining their pockets than providing women with factual information about the health risks of chemical abortion drugs,” said Uthmeier. “When it comes to health and safety in Florida, we won’t tolerate blatant lies using fabricated medical ‘facts’ that have no scientific basis.”
Alexandra Mamdado, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Florida, told First Coast News that the lawsuit is a “politically motivated attack.”
“In Florida, we proudly offer patients medically accurate and comprehensive information and quality, compassionate health care. And this politically motivated attack won’t change that,” Mamdado says. “This lawsuit is just another attack on safe and legal abortion in Florida and a further attempt to erode access to all abortion care by targeting medication abortion now that we have a near-total abortion ban in the state. Lawsuits like this are part of an effort to sow confusion and attack Planned Parenthood for the care we provide. We look forward to our day in court.”
