Why all the fuss about Mifepristone? It's safe, effective, and expands access.
Charlie Gaebler-Uhing | Published on 5/11/2026
Since Friday, you likely have seen lots of headlines regarding Mifepristone. On Friday
May 1, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals placed a national injunction on telehealth
prescribing of mifepristone. This injunction was followed by an emergency appeal to the
Supreme Court by the manufacturers over the weekend, Justice Alito placed a stay on
the injunction and set a hearing May 11, 2026.
Why is Louisiana targeting Mifepristone? It is one of the two medications used for
medication abortions and miscarriage management. It has been used in the US since
2000. On initial release, the FDA restricted prescribers and prescribing practices so
they could collect extensive data on its risks and benefits. Over the years as it became
apparent it was safe, with less than 1% serious side effects, they expanded who could
prescribe the medication as well as where it could be prescribed. In 2023 the FDA
allowed prescribing to be expanded to telehealth.
States with abortion bans have cried foul, since women living in these states can
receive safe abortion care via interstate telehealth and mail order abortion medication
without leaving their state. The problem with a national injunction on telehealth visits,
states where abortion is legal and made accessible, telehealth prescribing is used to
eliminate barriers to abortion care. Women living in rural areas benefit extensively from
these visits.
Learn more about mifepristone, Ob-gyn viewpoint, the current attacks on mifepristone,
timeline of Louisiana vs FDA and impact if Louisiana suit successful.