The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a unanimous decision to maintain access to mifepristone, a medication used in a significant portion of abortions in the country. This pill, along with another drug called misoprostol, is used to terminate pregnancy up to 10 weeks of gestation. Despite opposition in other states, in Florida, the use of mifepristone remains legal for up to six weeks of pregnancy due to the state’s Heartbeat Protection Act.
The plaintiff’s challenge to the FDA’s actions regarding mifepristone was dismissed by the high court, stating that it was not within the jurisdiction of federal courts. However, some residents have been obtaining mifepristone and misoprostol from providers in other states where it is legal, such as California, Illinois, and New York. These states have enacted “shield laws” to protect telehealth providers sending abortion pills to states with restrictions. MAP, a telehealth practice operating under Massachusetts’ shield laws, serves patients in banned or restrictive states like Texas and Florida.
Overall, the Supreme Court’s decision preserves access to mifepristone in Florida while also allowing individuals who live in restrictive states access this medication through telemedicine and other means.
