A bill in the West Virginia Legislature that would allow pregnancy-health organizations to use state funds for expenses associated with reversing the effects of the “abortion pill†continued its push toward the finish line this week.
The House’s Standing Committee on Health and Human Resources, on Wednesday, advanced Senate Bill 805 to its second reference in the Finance Committee, with all but one member’s recommendation for passage. As explained by the committee’s legislative analyst, Robert Altman, West Virginia allocated $3 million last year for pregnancy-health centers throughout the state. For fiscal year 2027, that allocation has been increased to $4 million.
Opposition to the bill
According to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, abortion pill reversal is “not supported by science.†The abortion pill works by administering a combination of mifepristone, to block development of the hormone progesterone, and misoprostol, to cause the uterus to contract. The ACOG refers to mifepristone and misoprostol as “safe, effective medications that are also used for other indications.†The method by which reversal of medicated abortion is attempted is through the administration of progesterone in an effort to counteract the effects of mifepristone.
“We’ve had bills dealing with this hormone treatment before,†Delegate Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, told fellow committee members. “We’ve heard testimony. It’s not always effective. It can be dangerous when a woman is told … the mifepristone can be reversed with the hormone treatment.â€
“I think it’s irresponsible to put this in code,†Pushkin added.
Pushkin’s position is similar to the ACOG, who further noted, “Legislative mandates based on unproven, unethical research are dangerous to women’s health.â€
To support their position, the ACOG cites a 2020 Institutional Review Board-approved study to evaluate the effectiveness of the hormone treatment which was “ended early due to safety concerns among the participants.â€
Senate Health and Human Resources Chair Brian Helton, R-Fayette, speaks during the Senate floor session on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.
WILL PRICE | W.Va. Legislative Photography
An amendment to SB 805 seeking to criminalize the shipping of abortion pills, also called abortifacients, into the State of West Virginia was proposed by Delegate Chris Anders, R-Berkeley.
“West Virginia is a ‘life-at-conception’ state,†Anders said. “But we’re not, really, because anybody 14 years or older can go on their phone at any time, without medical supervision and without parental approval, and order these pills to be shipped into the state.â€
According to Anders, “They’re actually advertising on the internet for everybody from West Virginia to order these pills.†Although Anders offered no explanation as to which entity he believes is advertising these pills, his proposed amendment did outline fines and penalties for what would be the felony offense of trafficking abortion pills into West Virginia.
“However, [the amendment] does not authorize the mother to be charged or be convicted of a criminal offense in the death of her own pre-born child because she’s a victim of the great lie, as well,†Anders added.
Although Committee Chair Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, disqualified Anders’ amendment from consideration after ruling it was not germane to SB 805, meaning it was unrelated to the bill’s primary purpose, the spirit of the amendment lives on in the form of Senate Bill 173.
Introduced by Worrell’s Senate counterpart, Sen. Brian Helton, R-Fayette, the same legislator who proposed SB 805, SB 173 is a primary bill intended to do exactly what Anders’ amendment would have done. SB 173 was passed in the Senate on Feb. 13 by a vote of 31-1. Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, was the sole no vote.
What’s next?
SB 173 is pending before the House Judiciary Committee, and SB 805 is pending before the House Finance Committee. Enough time remains for both bills to complete the legislative process, should House members choose to pass them.
The 2026 legislative session is schedule to conclude at 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
Matthew Young covers politics and general assignments. Contact him at myoung@hdmediallc.com or 609-444-7257.
