Press Release

Fifth Circuit Rules Mifepristone to be Dispensed In Person

May 1, 2026

OUR STATEMENT

Today, a federal appeals court granted Louisiana’s motion in State of Louisiana et al v Food and Drug Administration, effective immediately. As a result,  mifepristone via telehealth is no longer accessible for anyone seeking abortion care in the country. We predict litigating partners to appeal to the Supreme Court immediately. Dr. Jamila Perritt, ob/gyn in Washington DC and President & CEO at Physicians for Reproductive Health responds:  

“Today’s decision disrupting access to mifepristone via telehealth access goes against what we’ve known to be true for years: medication abortion is safe, it’s effective, and its safety does not change whether dispensed in person or via telehealth care.  

“Telehealth is a lifeline for thousands of patients across the United States. After Dobbs, over a quarter of patients who accessed abortion care did so thanks to the providers offering compassionate care via telehealth. Telehealth access to health care is meaningful for all of us; no matter what state we reside in, telehealth offers patients the ability to get the care they need whether they live in a state with restrictions, live in a rural community without providers, are unable to get time off of work, are unable to get access to childcare, are experiencing domestic partner violence and cannot safely make it to an in-person clinic, or are unable to get transportation to an in-person clinic. Today’s decision is a direct attack on the care that thousands and thousands of people need and deserve.   

“People deserve access to the abortion care they need where they live and with the support they need. This truth is made more possible thanks to telehealth.   

“The data shows mifepristone is a safe and effective medication as a part of the medication abortion regimen and remains just as safe when dispensed to patients via telehealth.  

“Most importantly, I urge patients to remain in direct communication with their health care providers, clinics, and legal support organizations. We know that anti-abortion extremists want this to scare and confuse patients away from getting the care they need. Organizers, advocates, and health care providers  remain steadfastly committed to finding solutions for patients to get the care they need. Despite political attacks, we remain guided by the truth that abortion care is a core part of people’s ability to practice bodily autonomy.  

“We see this for what it is: a political pawn and excuse to further limit people’s options to decide what to do with their bodies and their lives.”