April 21, 2023 UPDATE: On Friday, April 21, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked lower court decisions banning or limiting the FDA-approved use of mifepristone for the foreseeable future. The decision means that for now at least, the drug will be available in states where abortion is legal. If you’re pregnant and need help finding an out-of-state abortion, our health centers are here to support you – find a provider near you, or view our patient resources page for more information. The next hearing on the case is scheduled for May 17, 2023.
Last week’s mifepristone ruling from U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk was a blatant ideological attack on science, the law, and abortion access. The ruling only served to further stigmatize abortion and obfuscate its legality during a time when misinformation about sexual and reproductive health access abounds.
A conflicting federal ruling issued simultaneously in Washington, ordering the FDA to continue allowing mifepristone, suggests this challenge is now headed to the United States Supreme Court.
Mifepristone has been used safely for decades to end a pregnancy, and the medication is still available in some states where abortion is legal. Missouri banned abortion in 2022 in the wake of the devastating Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
Emergency contraception (a.k.a. “EC,” “Plan B,” or “the morning after pill”) is a different medication than mifepristone. Mifepristone terminates an existing pregnancy; emergency contraception is birth control that can be taken after sex. It can prevent a pregnancy from occurring, but it does not affect an existing pregnancy.
Emergency contraception is still legal and available in Missouri over the counter, or at any of MFHC’s Title X or The Right Time health centers. If you’re pregnant and need help finding an out-of-state abortion, our health centers are here to support you – find a provider near you, or view our patient resources page for more information.
If you’re tired of ideological attacks on sexual and reproductive healthcare access, nationally and in Missouri, we hope you’ll join us and our partners for the “MO Rights, MO Love” Lobby Day in Jefferson City Wednesday, April 19. Click here to register for this event.
