RFK Jr. Says Biden ‘Twisted the Data’ on Abortion Pill Safety

US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is accusing the Biden administration of having “twisted the data” on safety of the abortion drug mifepristone.

The Department of Health and Human Services chief told lawmakers at a Senate Finance Committee hearing Thursday that the Trump administration is committed to reviewing mifepristone safety and keeping politics out of his approach.

In May, Kennedy ordered Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary to review mifepristone, prompting a request by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) at Thursday’s hearing for an update on the timing for the review.

Kennedy said he couldn’t provide an exact timeline, though noted he spoke with Makary on Wednesday and that the HHS is frequently getting new data on the drug to review.

“We’re getting data in all the time, new data on that, we’re reviewing,” Kennedy said. “We know that during the Biden administration, they actually twisted the data, to bury one of the safety signals, a very high safety signal, around 11%, so we’re going to make sure that that doesn’t happen anymore.”

The safety of the drug has been a key focus of Republicans’ anti-abortion efforts. A recent study from conservative think tank the Ethics & Public Policy Center claimed health data it reviewed on the medication warrants fresh FDA review of the drug.

The EPPC study drew quick pushback form public health policy experts who took issue with its methodology and described it as part of a broader effort to block access to medication abortion. The EPPC, however, billed the study as the “largest-known” on the drug, claiming it found that one in 10 users had a significant adverse health event.

Following up on the topic Thursday, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) pushed Kennedy as to whether the HHS plans to replicate other research critical of medication abortion. Kennedy, however, couldn’t provide specifics, though noted that Makary said the topic was pressing.

Daines also asked about whether Kennedy would repeal Covid-era changes easing mifepristone restrictions that made the drug accessible via telemedicine. Kennedy, however, said he wasn’t sure whether the White House had taken a position on that issue, and that he’d have to get back to Daines.

Republican lawmakers are taking increasingly aggressive approaches against mifepristone. On Wednesday, the Texas state legislature approved a bill that will allow any Texan to sue an abortion pill manufacturer or distributor.

The Senate Finance hearing focused on the HHS’ shifting approach on vaccines under Kennedy’s leadership, following his overhaul of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The attacks were largely from Democratic senators, though Republican Bill Cassidy (La.)—whose vote was crucial in securing Kennedy’s confirmation as HHS secretary—took a critical tone with Kennedy.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) also took issue with Kennedy’s commentary on Project Warp Speed, handling of HHS science, and the White House’s firing of Susan Monarez from her role as CDC director.