What you need to know: The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling restricting access to the abortion medication mifepristone to patients.
May 2, 2026 - SACRAMENTO – On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement in response to the Fifth Circuit ruling impacting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s 2023 Mifepristone Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program, which expanded access to abortion medication mifepristone:
“The Fifth Circuit’s ruling is another blow to reproductive care access – including in our own state of California, which has long championed reproductive freedom. Access to mifepristone is particularly critical for women in rural and underserved communities where healthcare access is limited. California will continue to stand for a woman’s right to choose – and fight like hell against those who seek to reach across our border and tear that fundamental right away.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
Source: Office of the Governor
