California files lawsuit against organizations promoting unproven abortion pill reversal treatment

California sued two organizations over unproven treatments that claim to reverse medication abortions in the state’s Superior Court in Alameda County Thursday.

“Those who are struggling with the complex decision to get an abortion deserve support and trustworthy guidance — not lies and misinformation,” California Attorney General Robert Bonta (D) said in a statement. “And let me be clear: the evidence shows that the vast majority of people do not regret their decision to have an abortion — more than 95% of patients who undergo an abortion later say they made the right decision.

In the complaint obtained by CalMatters, the state takes aim at Heartbeat International, Inc., an anti-abortion charity that has a “network of pro-life pregnancy resource centers,” according to its website and RealOptions Obria, a group that operates five clinics in Northern California, according to its website. The state accuses the two organizations of giving “vulnerable pregnant people” incorrect information about the treatments.

“They claim that there is a way to ‘reverse’ the effects of mifepristone, which they call ‘abortion pill reversal’ or ‘APR,’” the complaint reads. “They further claim—falsely—that through APR ‘thousands of lives’ have been ‘saved.’ But, there is no evidence showing that mifepristone can be ‘reversed’ or that the APR ‘protocol’ contributes to the continuation of a pregnancy.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said the treatments are not “based on science and do not meet clinical standards” on their website. 

“Despite this, in states across the country, politicians are advancing legislation to require physicians to recite a script that a medication abortion can be ‘reversed’ with doses of progesterone, to cause confusion and perpetuate stigma, and to steer women to this unproven medical approach,” the page reads. “Unfounded legislative mandates like this one represent dangerous political interference and compromise patient care and safety.”

In an emailed statement, Heartbeat International said they learned about the suit via “interview requests” and “have not been served at this point.”

“Through our Abortion Pill Rescue Network hotline, we know that some women almost immediately regret their chemical abortion choice,” Heartbeat International’s statement read. “These women deserve the right to try and save their pregnancies. No woman should ever be forced to complete an abortion she no longer wants.”

The Hill has reached out to RealOptions Obria.