If you have seen recent news about court cases impacting access to medication abortion, you may have questions. Here’s what you need to know:
What is medication abortion?
Medication abortion involves the use of pills to end a pregnancy. It’s safe, highly effective, and typically involves two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol – though misoprostol alone also works.
As of 2023, more than 60% of abortions in the United States were medication abortions, making it the most common method.
But the story of medication abortion doesn’t begin with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Supreme Court. It begins with Brazilian feminists in the 1980s.
In Brazil — where abortion was already criminalized — feminists discovered that misoprostol could be used to end a pregnancy. Abortion bans don’t stop abortion; they just drive it underground. Faced with that reality, people seeking abortion and the care networks supporting them turned to misoprostol.
Today, and for the last several decades, both the World Health Organization and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recognize both the misoprostol-mifepristone and the misoprostol-only methods as safe, effective, and evidence-based.
Is it illegal to use abortion pills in Texas?
No. Using abortion pills to end a pregnancy is not illegal in Texas. It has been reported that in less than 1% of medication abortions nationwide, someone has run into legal trouble related to abortion pills — but for the vast majority of people, that’s not the case. For free and confidential guidance on your state’s laws, contact the Repro Legal Helpline online or by calling 844-868-2812.
There is never any reason to feel shame about your abortion – no matter how you have it. The point of knowing your risk is for you to make the best decision you can based on all of your circumstances.
Can I have abortion pills mailed to me even though I live in Texas?
Yes. Abortion pills can be mailed to every state, including Texas — even though procedural (in-clinic) abortion is banned here. You can also order pills before you need them, which is called “advanced provision.”
Telehealth and telemedicine services can mail pills directly to Texas residents. If you can’t access mifepristone, medication abortion with misoprostol alone is a safe, highly effective, legal, and widely available option in Texas. For more information about all things abortion pills, check out Plan C Pills.
Is mifepristone illegal now?
No. Mifepristone is still an FDA-approved medication, and nothing about the current court cases will change that. What could change is how you’re able to access mifepristone. Right now, mifepristone is still available by telehealth. You can also travel across state lines to a clinic that dispenses mifepristone and misoprostol – just like Texans have been traveling for procedural abortion.
What is going on with the court cases around medication abortion?
In simplest terms, here’s the latest:
- May 1, 2026: The Fifth Circuit ruled that the FDA must require mifepristone to be dispensed in person only (reversing a 2021 pandemic-era rule that allowed telehealth and mail delivery).
- May 4, 2026: The Supreme Court issued a stay—meaning they put the Fifth Circuit’s ruling on hold. For now, mifepristone can still be dispensed via telehealth and delivered by mail.
- May 11, 2026: A final update in the case is expected.
The Fifth Circuit is a federal appeals court that covers Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. When the Fifth Circuit rules on abortion, it directly affects abortion access in Texas. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country — it can pause or overrule Fifth Circuit decisions.
Regardless of what the final decision is in the case, misoprostol will remain available via telehealth, mail, and in-person! The only thing that could change is how Texans can access mifepristone – not whether it is still safe and available for use during medication abortion.
For more information on how the Fifth Circuit and beyond are shaping access to medication abortion, check out the Center for Reproductive Rights.
How can I share this information with the people in my life?
When you share hard information — especially if someone is already dealing with internalized anti-abortion stigma or feeling anxious or scared about their options — here are three things to keep in mind:
- You don’t have to be a doctor or a lawyer! You don’t need to be everything to everyone. What a relief that is! Your job is to point people to reliable resources, not to have all the answers.
- Don’t promise what you can’t control. No one should have to worry about their safety when planning an abortion. But people do. Don’t say “nothing will happen to you” — you can’t guarantee that. Say “here’s what’s true right now” and “here’s who to call if something comes up.”
- Don’t over-explain because you’re nervous. If you feel overwhelmed, take a breath. Focus on what you actually know to be true. Point to trustworthy resources – Plan C Pills, the Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline, the Repro Legal Helpline, among others – and let them do the rest.
Want to learn more? Take the next step →
Let’s Talk About Medication Abortion
During this one-hour webinar, we’ll talk through:
- What’s happening at the Supreme Court—and what it actually means for you
- Your options for medication abortion care
- What to say when you hear or see disinformation about abortion pills
- A few facts to keep in your back pocket about the real-world reality of medication abortion
Come as you are. Leave with what you need.
May 12, 6:30 pm CT
Zoom