Representative Cori Bush (D-MO) argued during a House hearing on women's health that access to medication abortion is crucial for transgender individuals, connecting it to the broader context of LGBTQ+ rights and healthcare access. Bush framed medication abortion as a “lifeline” for various vulnerable groups, including those facing economic hardship, childcare challenges, and geographical barriers to healthcare. She specifically highlighted the impact of “anti-LGBTQ+ laws” and bans on gender-affirming care as creating additional burdens for transgender individuals, for whom medication abortion can be a necessary resource.

Bush likened restricting access to medication abortion to banning common over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, dismissing such restrictions as politically motivated rather than medically justified. She emphasized the high effectiveness rate of medication abortion using mifepristone and misoprostol. The congresswoman also drew a parallel between the challenges faced by transgender individuals seeking abortion and her own personal experiences, citing instances where she felt dismissed by healthcare providers. She recounted two abortions she had as a teenager, including one instance where she alleges the procedure continued despite her expressing a change of heart.

Bush has been outspoken about her abortion experiences, using them to advocate for broader access to reproductive healthcare. She has previously testified before Congress about feeling ignored by medical professionals during a past abortion procedure, attributing this to her being a young Black woman. This recent statement further connects her advocacy for abortion rights with the fight for transgender rights and healthcare equity.