COLUMBUS – The U.S. Supreme Court froze all lower court orders limiting access to the drug mifepristone in its first decision related to abortion rights access since the court eliminated this constitutional right in June 2022. With this stay, medication abortion will continue to be permitted in all states where abortion is still legal. Although we do not know the future of this case as it continues through the appeals process, this continued reprieve means that health care providers like Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio (PPGOH) can continue to prescribe the abortion medication, mifepristone.

PPGOH welcomes the granting of this complete stay today, but we know that the fight for bodily autonomy is far from over. While we’re relieved that mifepristone is protected for now, we cannot lose sight of the fact that this baseless lawsuit demonstrates that anti-abortion politicians won’t stop at the overturning of Roe v. Wade to dismantle sexual and reproductive health care.

The end result of this case could have catastrophic consequences nationwide for care due to the jeopardization of access to other FDA-approved medications. This should be concerning for everyone who cares about the rule of law, science-based medicine and reproductive rights and freedoms.

To date, mifepristone is used in more than half of abortions. Our efforts to ensure that Ohioans receive equal access to medication abortion provides everyone the ability to make their own decisions about their reproductive lives and futures. As we await further rulings in the appeals process, we will continue to push for a future where all can access essential health care including abortion, free from restriction and stigma.