Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks 5th Circuit Ruling Restricting Telehealth Access to Mifepristone

On May 1, 2026, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to immediately block nationwide telehealth prescribing of mifepristone — a major rollback of access to the most common form of abortion care. The ruling stemmed from a Louisiana lawsuit against the FDA arguing that telemedicine access to the abortion pill undermined the state's strict abortion ban. After two drugmakers appealed, the Supreme Court placed a temporary hold on the 5th Circuit ruling through at least May 11, allowing mail and telemedicine access to continue while the case is considered. Critically, the Department of Justice did not file a brief defending the FDA's 2023 rule. The case now hinges on whether Justice Samuel Alito extends the stay or lets telemedicine access end nationally.