Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that Washington state has taken unprecedented action to purchase a three-year supply of mifepristone, an abortion medication used safely for more than two decades. Inslee directed the state Department of Corrections, using its existing pharmacy license, to purchase the medication last month. The full shipment was delivered on March 31.

Inslee was joined at a press conference today by legislators who are introducing legislation authorizing the state Department of Corrections to distribute or sell the medication to licensed health providers across the state, and by Attorney General Bob Ferguson who is helping lead a multi-state lawsuit aiming to protect access to the medication.