Analysis

Planned Parenthood accused of highly overpricing abortion pill for women

abortion pill, Wesleyan

A new analysis from Rita Diller of American Life League claims that the abortion industry, and Planned Parenthood in particular, may be hiking its prices on the abortion pill, charging women far more than it should.

Diller began her analysis by pointing out how the abortion industry has been increasingly promoting the use of abortion pills over surgical abortions because abortion pills are a faster, easier way to commit an abortion, requiring few overhead costs for abortion businesses. And while abortion pills are faster and easier for abortion businesses, abortion pills also net the abortion industry a much larger profit than surgical abortion.

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“Recent STOPP [American Life League] research found that abortion facilities paid around $90 for the Mifeprex abortion pill in 2019,” Diller wrote. “That was before the new generic mifepristone came out in April of 2019. T­­hey no doubt pay a great deal less now. For example, mifepristone is currently available for retail purchase at Walgreens for $30.40 through a GoodRX discount. Misoprostol — the second medication used in tandem with Mifeprex to finish the abortion — is available to the public at Walmart and Walgreens for under $3 for two pills via a GoodRX discount.”

URGENT: For every dollar given, 34 more people can be reached with the truth about abortion. Will you join us in this life-saving work as a monthly donor today?

Planned Parenthood often dispenses the abortion pill regimen to women through a video visit or a telemedicine call, and then has the pills either mailed to the woman, or she goes to an abortion facility to pick them up. There is minimal work completed by the abortionists or facility staffers and very little overhead cost involved. No supplies are used and very few staff hours are accumulated. So while the cost of the abortion pill and the amount of work involved are minimal, it would seem that abortion pills would be accordingly affordable to the women purchasing them — but in fact, it is the opposite. Planned Parenthood is still charging a significant sum for the drugs.

“Though Planned Parenthood pays very little for the pills, the average cost of a pill abortion initiated by Planned Parenthood is $580, though it can be $800 or higher,” Diller said. “That is current information, according to Planned Parenthood’s website. When you do the math, you can see that there is a hefty margin of profit in pill abortions for the abortion purveyors.”

Planned Parenthood has faced these allegations before, with prior research revealing that it was increasing abortion pill prices in low-income, minority communities. Meanwhile, the abortion giant markets itself as a champion for women — but this price-gouging makes it clear that what Planned Parenthood prioritizes is profit above all else.

These chemical abortions (frequently referred to as “medical” or “medication” abortions) kill innocent human beings and come with significant risks for women, with research revealing them to be four times more dangerous than first-trimester surgical abortions.

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