Senator Daines Questions RFK Jr. on Mefepristone Safety and Montana Medicaid Waiver

Review of Chemical Abortion Drug Safety

• ⚠️ Senator Daines highlighted concerns about the FDA's deregulation of mifepristone, noting a study showing nearly 11% of women experienced serious adverse events within 45 days of use.
• 💡 The study's findings of adverse events were 22 times higher than the FDA's previous estimates.
• 💔 Daines shared that two women died last year due to chemical abortion pills accessed without appropriate medical oversight, a situation he attributes to FDA allowances.
• 🤝 He expressed gratitude that Secretary Kennedy and FDA Commissioner McKerry are reviewing new data on mifepristone's safety and asked for updates on the review's status and scope.

Telemedicine and In-Person Visit Requirements

• ❓ Daines questioned whether the COVID-era telemedicine allowance for chemical abortion drugs would be repealed, restoring the requirement for an in-person doctor visit.
• 🗓️ Secretary Kennedy stated he needed to get back to Daines on this issue, as the White House may not have a position yet.

Montana Medicaid Waiver Application

• 👏 Senator Daines applauded Governor Gianforte and Director Brereton for Montana's Medicaid demonstration waiver application.
• 🎯 The waiver seeks to strengthen the state's Medicaid expansion program by requiring community engagement and enhanced cost-sharing for working-age, able-bodied adults.
• ✅ Secretary Kennedy committed that CMS would work quickly in considering Montana's waiver application, calling it the "kind of flavor they were looking for."