General · Texas behavioral health news
What to know about the federal rule that Texans have used to mail in abortion pills
Texas Tribune – Health · By Ayden Runnels · May 7, 2026
In plain language
Recent court rulings have created confusion over whether the abortion drug mifepristone can be sent through the mail. While a lower court tried to stop the delivery of these pills by mail, the Supreme Court has stepped in to temporarily allow mail-in access to continue for several months while the case moves forward. In Texas, it remains illegal to provide these pills for elective abortions, though patients themselves are generally exempt from criminal charges or lawsuits for seeking them.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- The Supreme Court has temporarily protected the ability to receive the abortion pill mifepristone through the mail.
- While it is illegal to provide abortion pills in Texas, it is not illegal for a patient to possess or use them.
- Texas law allows private citizens to sue anyone who helps someone obtain an abortion for up to $100,000.
- Many Texans still receive pills by mail from providers in other states that have protective shield laws.
- If mifepristone access is eventually restricted, providers may switch to mailing misoprostol-only prescriptions which remain legal to mail.
- Mifepristone and misoprostol are also commonly used to help patients safely manage miscarriages.
Mifepristone pills on Aug. 18, 2023. " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.texastribune.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20230818-mifepristone-REUTERS.jpg?fit=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" /> In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration started allowing mifepristone to be delivered by mail. The federal courts are deciding whether to pull that permission. The post What to know about the federal rule that Texans have used to mail in abortion pills appeared first on The Texas Tribune.
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