Southern Illinois Planned Parenthood Will Continue Lawfully Providing Abortion Medication Despite Texas Ruling

ST. LOUIS — Today, Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region (RHS) announced it will lawfully continue providing mifepristone — one of two abortion pills used in the most common medication abortion regimen and evidence-based miscarriage management — for medication abortion. Illinois is among 17 states (plus DC) that obtained a preliminary injunction from a federal court in Washington State that ordered the FDA to not make changes to mifepristone’s approval, allowing Planned Parenthood to continue providing this medication. The Washington order preserves access to mifepristone in Illinois, regardless of the outcome of the unlawful and unprecedented decisions from a judge in Texas and the Fifth Circuit.

As these cases continue through the judicial process, Planned Parenthood will continue to do everything possible within the law to ensure patients get the care they want and need. Mifepristone is safe, effective, and has been used by more than 5 million people since the FDA approved it more than 20 years ago (2000). According to the CDC, more than half of the abortions in the U.S. in 2020 were medication abortions. As long as the drug manufacturers continue shipping the medication, patients who choose medication abortion can still access evidence-based care at the Fairview Heights health center or a telehealth appointment.

Statement from Dr. Colleen McNicholas, Chief Medical Officer, Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region:

“As has been true throughout the history of this affiliate, in the face of attacks, we will do all we can to ensure patients get the care they want, need, and are entitled to. Planned Parenthood has secured additional, long-term supply and will continue providing medication abortion with mifepristone, despite the unprecedented and ideologically driven decision out of a Texas court. Mifepristone is extremely safe and effective – the only reason it is under contention is because anti-abortion extremists are weaponizing the judicial system to take away our rights and freedoms.  

 

“Governor Pritzker and Attorney General Raoul have been strong and consistent leaders, understanding Illinois’ unique role in the public health crisis that eliminating abortion access created. We are once again relying on the State of Illinois to stop the harm intended by the rollback of abortion access. Today and every day we are proud to stand with patients, centering access that is grounded in science.”

Anti-abortion and anti-science activist groups brought the Texas challenge based on an ideological crusade to ban abortion. The commonly used medication abortion protocol — a two-pill process of mifepristone and misoprostol — has an outstanding safety record and is the most effective medication abortion protocol. In fact, mifepristone has better safety data than penicillin or Viagra. 

###

Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region provides options counseling, pregnancy testing, abortion care, and other reproductive services for thousands of people in Illinois and across the region each year. Our highly trained physicians and medical staff provide expert care in a supportive setting, no matter what. Patients can make an appointment online or by phone at 618-277-6668.