Jefferson City, Missouri — Missouri has become a central battleground in the national fight over medication abortion as Sen. Josh Hawley intensifies efforts to restrict access to the drug mifepristone.
Hawley has called for Congress to revoke federal approval of mifepristone and urged the Justice Department to investigate its manufacturer. He has also supported broader legal and political efforts aimed at limiting the drug’s availability, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of abortions in the U.S.
Missouri is playing a key role in multiple legal challenges. The state is leading a federal lawsuit seeking to curb access to mifepristone, while its attorney general has filed a separate case against Planned Parenthood using consumer protection laws. Additional efforts include a ballot measure that could reinstate abortion restrictions later this year.
Despite Missouri voters approving a constitutional right to abortion in 2024, access to medication abortion remains restricted as courts weigh which regulations still apply. Meanwhile, telehealth and mail-order access to abortion pills have expanded nationwide, complicating enforcement at the state level.
Supporters of restrictions argue tighter controls are needed for safety and oversight, while abortion-rights advocates say the push reflects a broader strategy to limit access nationally, even in states where voters have supported legal abortion.
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