Daily Skimm: Abortion Pills, Migrant Boat, and The SAG Awards

Mifepristone

The Story

12 states are suing the FDA.

Why?

Last week, a group of Democratic-led states said the FDA's guidelines on mifepristone are too strict. Mifepristone — also called the “abortion pill” — is the first of two medications used for a medical abortion. The drug can only be taken up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, and it can also help with miscarriage recovery. In the US, abortion pills are used in more than half of pregnancy terminations. Under current FDA regulations, providers and pharmacies need to be certified in order to issue mifepristone. Patients also have to sign an agreement that says they're getting the medication for the purpose of ending a pregnancy. Now, 12 states are saying those regulations are "burdensome" to patients and want them removed. It comes as another lawsuit is looking to ban access to the drug nationwide. 

Go on.

In Texas, a Trump-appointed federal judge is reviewing a case that could pull mifepristone from the market. That's because a group of anti-abortion advocates filed a suit in November. They say the FDA quickly approved the abortion medication and chose “politics over science.” The Texas decision could impact 40 million women and the White House’s recent efforts to expand access to medication abortions. The federal judge is expected to make a decision soon. However, if the two lawsuits end in conflicting rulings, then the topic of abortion pill access could make its way to the conservative-leaning Supreme Court.

theSkimm

Ever since Roe v. Wade was overturned, there have been questions about the future of reproductive health care. Now, the fate of the abortion pill hangs in the balance as two lawsuits play out in the courts.

And Also...This

What people are talking about…

A migrant shipwreck. Yesterday, a boat carrying as many as 200 people crashed off Italy’s southwestern coast. At least 60 people died — including 12 children — and the death toll is expected to rise amid rescue efforts. Eighty people survived. Officials said the majority of migrants were from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Somalia. They had been traveling for five days after leaving Turkey. Now, the tragedy's putting a spotlight on Europe's migrant crisis. One Italian lawmaker urged Italy and the European Union to offer “effective alternatives” for people who are forced to flee their country. Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni — whose far-right gov is cracking down on migrants fleeing to Italy — said it was "criminal" to put so many people on a boat during bad weather.

What everyone's still looking for answers on...

COVID's origin story. Yesterday, news outlets said the Dept of Energy determined with "low confidence" that a lab leak in China caused the pandemic. COVID has killed nearly 7 million people globally. For years, there have been ongoing debates and inquiries into where the virus came from. Now, the DOE says there's new intelligence that the virus might’ve come from an accidental leak — something China denies. Still, four other US agencies have pointed to the virus potentially emerging through natural transmission. Two other gov agencies are undecided. It all comes as House Republicans are launching their own investigation into the lab leak theory.

What there's never room for...

Racism. Hundreds of newspapers are pulling the “Dilbert” comic strips after its creator, Scott Adams, made racist remarks during a YouTube live stream last week. Adams labeled Black Americans a “hate group” and said he “doesn’t want anything to do with them.” He advised white people “to get the hell away from Black people.” Readers called on newspapers to remove the decades-old comic strip. Now, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and the USA Today Network (which owns hundreds of papers) are dropping the comic strip. The comic strip's distributor, Andrews McMeel Universal, also announced its no longer working with the comic strip. On social media, Adams defended himself against people who are “canceling” him.

What's coming to an end…

Pandemic-era food assistance benefits. This week, a boost to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is expiring in 32 states — impacting more than 40 million Americans. When the pandemic hit, Congress passed a measure that gave households at least $95 extra a month to spend on food. One study found that it helped keep 4.2 million people out of poverty. Now, the extra benefit is ending at a time when grocery bills are going up. It's got food banks gearing up for an increase in demand.

...Oh and speaking of the end of pandemic-era assistance, 14 million people could be losing access to Medicaid. That's because the government's officially looking into who's eligible for the first time in three years.

Where history was made...

The SAG Awards.

What has fans picking sides…

The Selena Gomez-Hailey Bieber drama.

Who won this round…

Tommy Fury.