Planned Parenthood Southeast Celebrates U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in favor of Mifepristone, Pushes for Further Protections of Reproductive Access

ATLANTA, GA — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a group of anti-abortion physicians does not have standing to challenge the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) actions related to the approval of mifepristone. Mifepristone will remain on the market and accessible in states where abortion is legal. 

President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast, Carol McDonald statement: 

“Attacks on abortion do not end with this ruling. There are people across this country who still do not have access to abortion care which disproportionately impacts our affiliate in the Southeast. This case was an attempt by anti-abortion physicians to prevent people from freedom to make their own healthcare decisions. We welcome this decision, but we have to keep fighting for access to care, especially as we approach the upcoming second anniversary of the fall of Roe vs. Wade. No judge or politician should be making decisions about our healthcare, we continue our commitment to making sure that people everywhere get the care they need and deserve–no matter what.”

This case will be sent back down to the federal district court judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who has already allowed Kansas, Missouri, and Idaho to intervene in this case. In federal court, a case can continue as long as any plaintiff has standing, so if the district court concludes that these states have standing, the case could continue with them as parties. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to make clear to the district court, if it found Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine (AHM) did not have standing, that the case should be dismissed or transferred to a different federal district court, but in its decision today the Supreme Court did not provide any such instruction.

We expect to continue to see attacks on medication abortion and are prepared to advocate for the safety and effectiveness of mifepristone. Mifepristone has been used by millions of people for medication abortion and miscarriage care since the FDA approved it 23 years ago. 

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Planned Parenthood Southeast believes in the fundamental right of each individual to have access to high-quality, non-judgmental health care and prevention-focused education regardless of the individual's income, marital status, race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, faith identity or immigration status. Our mission is to provide comprehensive sexual health care through the provision of reproductive health services, education and advocacy.