Anti-Abortion Extremists are Manipulating the Courts to Ban Abortion Medication Nationwide for Millions of Women & Patients
WASHINGTON, DC –– Last Friday, the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals granted the state of Louisiana’s request to reinstate an outdated restriction that abortion medication only be dispensed in person. This ban revoked the distribution of abortion medication via telehealth or mail. Today, the Supreme Court of the United States temporarily restored access to ban on medication abortion. This administrative stay will temporarily restore access until Monday, May 11th, while the Court reviews the emergency appeals.
The news comes amid mounting pressure from extremist groups and anti-abortion activists eager to ban medication abortion nationwide – even in states where it is currently legally protected. Abortion medication currently accounts for nearly two-thirds of abortions across the country; restricting access to medication abortion could eliminate care for 64.5 million people across the country.
Survey data released in December 2025 shows that while most Americans are unaware of looming attacks on medication abortion, a majority oppose policies designed to restrict access to medication abortion.
In response to the latest attacks on access to medication abortion, Veronica Ingham, Managing Director for Free & Just released the following statement:
“No matter the specifics of the ruling, one fact remains: Mifepristone has been recognized as safe and effective since the FDA approved it more than 25 years ago, and it has continued to be safe and effective for millions who have used it for abortion care and miscarriage management. Right now, we are witnessing attacks on abortion from all levels of government, with the ultimate goal of banning abortion nationwide. This ruling is just another attempt to restrict access to abortion and sow chaos, delay care, and scare patients. Even in states where abortion is legal and protected, the court has stripped away women’s ability to access telehealth that has been used safely for years. Women and patients across the country deserve to have access to abortion care, and Free & Just remains dedicated to telling their stories.”
Bottomline: Despite over twenty years of evidence-based research confirming that mifepristone is safe and effective, anti-abortion extremists are using every tool at their disposal to weaponize our democratic institutions to ban abortion nationwide.
Free & Just is committed to fighting for reproductive freedom. Join us in sharing stories, raising voices, and securing our future.
If you are interested in speaking with patient and physician storytellers about the impacts of abortion bans and restricting access to medication abortion, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us and malachi@freeandjust.us.
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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.