Mifepristone and the Abortion Pill in New York: What You Need to Know in 2026

Mifepristone Is Safe, Legal, and Available in New York

If you have been following the news about the abortion pill over the past two years, you may be wondering what it all means for you. The short answer is: if you are in New York, mifepristone is fully available, FDA-approved, and nothing has changed about how we provide it at Dr. Emily Women's Health Center.

Here is a clear summary of where things stand and what it means for our patients.

What Is Mifepristone?

Mifepristone is one of two medications used in a medication abortion, also known as the abortion pill. It has been FDA-approved since 2000 and is used in more than 60% of all abortions in the United States. It is one of the most studied medications in modern medicine, with decades of safety data from hundreds of thousands of patients confirming that it is safe and effective.

At Dr. Emily Women's Health Center, we provide medication abortion using mifepristone for pregnancies up to 9 weeks, confirmed by ultrasound.

What Happened in the Courts

In 2023, a federal judge in Texas attempted to overturn the FDA's approval of mifepristone entirely — a ruling that alarmed patients and providers nationwide. That ruling was quickly stayed, meaning the medication remained available while legal challenges proceeded.

In June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the lawsuit in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, ruling that the anti-abortion medical groups who brought the case did not have legal standing to sue. The court did not rule on the merits of mifepristone's safety — it simply found that the challengers had no legal basis to bring the case in the first place.

As a result, the FDA's regulations governing mifepristone remain fully intact. This means mifepristone continues to be approved for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, can be prescribed by a range of certified healthcare providers, and can be dispensed at pharmacies and by mail in states where that is permitted.

The legal landscape continues to evolve — three Republican-led states have attempted to continue litigation — but as of today, nothing has changed for patients in New York.

What This Means for New York Patients

New York has strong legal protections for abortion access, and mifepristone has never been restricted in our state. At Dr. Emily Women's Health Center, we have continued to provide abortion pill services without interruption throughout the legal proceedings.

Here is what you can expect when you come to us for medication abortion:

Two office visits are included — your initial consultation with an ultrasound to confirm eligibility, and a follow-up visit 7 to 14 days later to confirm the abortion is complete.

All medications are provided — mifepristone (the first pill, taken in our office) and misoprostol (taken at home 24 to 48 hours later).

24/7 staff support — our team is available around the clock if you have questions or concerns during the process.

Medicaid and most insurance accepted — for self-pay patients, the fee is $600 and includes both visits, both ultrasounds, and all medications.

Why an Ultrasound Is Required Before the Abortion Pill

Before we can prescribe mifepristone, an ultrasound is required — not optional. This is a critical safety step that confirms how far along you are, ensures you are within the 9-week eligibility window, and rules out an ectopic pregnancy, which cannot be treated with the abortion pill.

Many patients are surprised to learn they are further along than they expected based on their last period alone. The ultrasound gives us the precise information needed to recommend the safest option for your specific situation.

The Abortion Pill vs. Surgical Abortion: Which Is Right for You?

If you are within 9 weeks of pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound, the abortion pill may be a good option. If you are further along, or if you prefer a procedure that is completed in a single visit with no memory of the process, surgical abortion with general anesthesia may be the better choice.

At Dr. Emily Women's Health Center, we offer both options — the abortion pill up to 9 weeks, and surgical abortion with general anesthesia up to 21 weeks. Your physician will review your ultrasound results and discuss both options with you so you can make an informed decision.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation

Same-day and next-day appointments are often available. Call 718-585-1010 or book online at www.dremily.net. We provide compassionate, non-judgmental care in a safe, confidential, AAAASF-accredited facility — the only private women's health clinic in the Bronx.