Trump Administration Asks Court to Dismiss Lawsuit Challenging Telehealth Access to Abortion Medication
Washington, D.C. — In a significant legal move, the Trump administration has requested that a judge dismiss a lawsuit from three Republican-led states—Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri—aimed at restricting telehealth access to the abortion medication mifepristone. On Monday, Justice Department attorneys cited a lack of legal standing on the states’ part rather than addressing the broader implications of the medication’s availability.
The lawsuit, filed after the Supreme Court upheld access to mifepristone last year, seeks to revoke telehealth prescriptions, mandate in-person consultations, and limit its use during pregnancy. Currently pending in Texas before U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk—who previously ruled against the drug—this case seeks to revive legal challenges dismissed by the Supreme Court due to the plaintiffs’ lack of standing.
Federal attorneys emphasized that these states cannot affiliate with earlier lawsuits simply to maintain jurisdiction in Texas, arguing that any claims should be filed in a relevant venue. Additionally, they noted that the actions the states challenge date back to 2016, exceeding the statute of limitations for filing such claims.
In Idaho, abortion is prohibited at all pregnancy stages; Missouri’s strict bans have recently become more lenient following voter-backed constitutional amendments, while Kansas maintains legal access up to 22 weeks, rejecting recent anti-abortion measures.
Former President Trump, who previously stated that he would not restrict access to abortion medications, has underscored that abortion policy is ultimately a state issue.
As debates continue over reproductive rights and access to healthcare, mifepristone—often used alongside another medication—remains a pivotal component of medication abortions, constituting over 60% of procedures in the U.S. since Roe v. Wade’s reversal.
AP Report by Lindsay Whitehurst and Rebecca Boone
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