Mifepristone’s telehealth access is under attack. On May 1, 2026, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decided abortion seekers can only get mifepristone, a vital medication abortion pill, in person at a health center. Then, on May 4, 2026, the Supreme Court temporarily paused that decision until May 11, 2026. That means that for now, you can still get mifepristone via telehealth in the mail or at a pharmacy. But that could change rapidly.
Keep reading to learn how this happened and what abortion funds plan to do about it.
They Want to Stop Our Abortions.
Anti-abortion extremists are trying to ban abortion. One way they’re doing that is through a federal court case to restrict mifepristone, a key medication for medication abortions. Here’s what happened before the Fifth Circuit’s decision, how the Supreme Court responded, and what you need to know about getting mifepristone now.
What’s Already Happened in the Case:
- December 2025: In the case Louisiana v. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Louisiana asked a federal court to order the FDA to limit access to medication abortion via telehealth. The federal court put this case on hold, and access to mifepristone remained available.
- May 1, 2026: The Fifth Circuit weighed in after Louisiana appealed. They said that while the case is being decided, abortion seekers should only be able to get mifepristone in person at a health center.
- May 4, 2026: The Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Fifth Circuit’s decision from taking effect until May 11.
That means you can still get mifepristone via telehealth in the mail or at a pharmacy unless the Supreme Court decides something different. We expect the next update from the Supreme Court on or before May 11, 2026.
What’s Next for Mifepristone?
The Supreme Court will issue a ruling no later than May 11, 2026. This decision will determine if mifepristone will be available via telehealth and can be dispensed by mail while the original court case continues.
Even if the Supreme Court upholds the Fifth Circuit’s ruling, mifepristone will remain legal and available in-person. But getting mifepristone in states with abortion bans and restrictions may become much harder with the requirement that mifepristone be dispensed in person. People will still be able to get medication abortions via telehealth using other medications like misoprostol or from international providers.
Remember: Mifepristone is Safe.
This attack on mifepristone is about control, not safety. Mifepristone has been used by more than five million people in the U.S. It has a safety record that’s better than common drugs like Tylenol or Viagra. The FDA’s own data and over 100 peer-reviewed studies show that mifepristone is a safe and effective medication.
This is just another tactic by the Trump administration and anti-abortion extremists to make it harder for folks to access abortions. Restricting access to mifepristone will have the highest impact in states where in-clinic abortions are already unavailable or extremely difficult to access.
Just like any abortion restriction or ban, the people most harmed by telehealth restrictions to mifepristone will be poor and working-class, uninsured, migrant, Black and Brown, queer and trans, and disabled community members.
Threats to abortion access mean abortion funds have to work even harder to help their communities navigate confusing restrictions and bans, travel across state lines, pay for their abortions, get childcare, and find doula services.
Support Abortion Funds.
The Fifth Circuit’s ruling is bad. But abortion funds are ready. They have decades of experience. They know how to provide holistic support to people who want abortions, and they understand how to help folks navigate the mounting barriers with compassion. Whatever attacks anti-abortion extremists throw at us, abortion funds will answer the call. They’re a vital resource to their communities.
Abortion funds aren’t going anywhere, and neither is the need for abortion access. Keep organizing for abortion access. Keep supporting your local abortion funds. Listen to their calls for action and get involved. Together, we can make sure that no one has to remain pregnant when they don’t wish to be.