Most Americans Support Access to Medication Abortion
Following the Supreme Court hearing oral arguments over access to mifepristone, one of the medications commonly used for abortion care, the latest Axios/Ipsos poll finds that most Americans, regardless of party affiliation, support women obtaining abortion medication from their doctor or a clinic. Four in five Americans say the FDA should continue approving and regulating medicines in the U.S.
Regulation and the Role of the FDA
Given that the upcoming Supreme Court case around medication abortion may affect the way the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves and regulates drugs nationwide, it is important to consider that the overwhelming majority of Americans support the FDA continuing to take this regulatory role in the United States. Furthermore, most Americans across party lines agree that abortion issues should be managed between a woman and her doctor, not the government.
Detailed Findings on Access to Mifepristone
While fewer than half of Americans are familiar with the current status of the Supreme Court case surrounding mifepristone and the FDA, the majority of Americans support women obtaining medication abortion pills from their doctor or a clinic. However, the data shows that Americans are more divided on receiving abortion pills through the mail.
- Seven in ten (72%) Americans say they support women obtaining medication abortion from their doctor or a clinic, and 45% say they strongly support it.
- Just half of Americans say they support obtaining medication abortion through the mail.
- Most Democrats (72%) and independents (54%) support women receiving abortion pills through the mail, but 77% of Republicans oppose them doing so.
- Americans are divided about whether they support a woman being allowed to obtain abortion pills from an in-person doctor without being allowed to do so through mail or telemedicine (48% support, 50% oppose).
Political Impact and Voter Sentiment
Looking ahead to the general election in November, most Americans, including a majority of Democrats and independents, agree they would be less likely to vote for a candidate that supports restricting access to abortion. Fifty-eight percent say they are less likely to vote for a candidate that supports restricting access to abortion.
As a whole, the majority of both men and women say they would be less likely to vote for a candidate in favor of abortion restrictions and that abortion should be an issue between a woman and her doctor, not the government. But the intensity of women’s perspectives on these issues are stronger: Women are more likely than men to say they strongly agree that supporting abortion restrictions would affect their vote.
| Public Opinion Category | Total Agreement/Support |
|---|---|
| Abortion issues should be managed between a woman and her doctor | 81% |
| Support obtaining medication abortion from a doctor or clinic | 72% |
| Less likely to vote for a candidate supporting abortion restrictions | 58% |
| Support obtaining medication abortion through the mail | 50% |
| Familiar with Supreme Court case regarding mifepristone | 44% |