On Aug. 16, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals released a decision in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA that dismissed a challenge to the FDA’s 2000 approval of mifepristone but would sharply restrict access to medication abortion nationwide and eliminate telemedicine abortion. The decision remains on hold until final review by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Fifth Circuit decision has no impact on access to misoprostol, which is a safe and effective alternative way to end a pregnancy.

“We are outraged that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals wants to reinstate medically unnecessary restrictions on access to mifepristone, a safe and effective medication used in medication abortion care,” said Lupe M. Rodriguez, executive director of National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. “This decision is wrong and if it goes into effect, puts politics and lies about mifepristone over the health and well-being of people who need abortion care.”