Reproductive Futures

What are shield laws—and why do they matter right now?

We’re breaking down how these laws work, who they protect, and what’s changing across states.

Save this for later + share to keep folks informed.

Welcome to our first Wednesday 101 💚

Each week, we’ll break down the language, systems, and care models behind reproductive health access.

This week: telemedicine abortion (TMAB).

Swipe through to learn more about what it is, how it works, and why it matters.

We’re excited to use this series to make our work more transparent, accessible, and easy to understand—one concept at a time.

Your voice matters. Tell New York State to protect the privacy of abortion patients.

These protections are more important than ever because:
• Patients seeking abortions face increasing threats to their safety, privacy, and well-being.
• Prescription labels with patient names can expose them to legal risk, harassment, or surveillance.
• Anti-abortion actors have used personal information to target, intimidate, and pursue unjustified legal action.
• Privacy protections are especially critical for patients in abusive relationships.
• Allowing patients to use a pseudonym on medication packaging is a simple, practical step to reduce these risks.
• Ensuring patient privacy helps people access care safely, independently, and without fear.

We’re proud to share a new piece by our Founder and CEO, Julie Kay, published by Women's Media Center.

Julie outlines a roadmap for restoring abortion access in the United States grounded in legal strategy, public health, and lessons from global movements.

Click here to read more: https://womensmediacenter.com/news-features/a-road-map-for-restoring-abortion-access-in-the-us

We are thrilled to share that our Founder and CEO, Julie F. Kay, has been honored with the Progressive Women’s Voices IMPACT Award at the Women’s Media Awards.

Julie’s work advancing reproductive rights as human rights continues to shape the future of access to care. We are proud to stand alongside her and celebrate this well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations, Julie!

We’re testifying today before the Connecticut Judiciary Committee in strong support of S.B. 295.

What the bill does:
S.B. 295 protects Connecticut-licensed telemedicine providers from out-of-state civil and criminal actions related to abortion care.

Why it matters:
Telemedicine now accounts for nearly 30% of abortions nationwide and is a critical access point for patients who cannot travel due to cost, caregiving responsibilities, work, immigration concerns, or safety.

Call to action:
The public hearing is happening now.
Watch live using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeYY9FzCPIY

Statement from Julie Kay, Reproductive Futures, on Texas AG v. Aid Access, Gomperts & Coeytaux, and Louisiana v. FDA

"Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit against Rebecca Gomperts, Aid Access, and Dr. Remy Coeytaux is the latest in a long line of attempts to project Texas's abortion ban beyond its own borders, and to sue, harass, and intimidate the providers who are filling the gap Texas's own laws have created.

The complaint makes inaccurate assertions that telemedicine abortion endangers the health and well-being of women. In reality, restricting access to telemedicine abortion would only guarantee that the hundreds of thousands of women who rely on this method as their preferred pathway to reproductive healthcare will be left without options.

Telemedicine abortion is safe, effective, and now accounts for more than a quarter of abortions nationwide. Shield laws exist precisely to protect this access, and they are working. The movement for reproductive freedom has been prepared for this moment, and we are not backing down.

This latest action from the Texas AG is part of a wave of targeted attacks on reproductive rights and healthcare nationwide, including yesterday’s courtroom proceedings in Louisiana v. FDA, a case challenging access to medication abortion via telemedicine. At a time when more women are seeking the safety, ease, and autonomy of telemedicine care, the anti-abortion movement is increasing its attempts to trample on the right to reproductive freedom."

A federal court case out of Louisiana could affect access to abortion pills nationwide.

The state is asking a judge to roll back a 2023 FDA rule that allows mifepristone to be prescribed via telehealth and mailed to patients. If successful, it could reinstate in-person requirements and limit how people receive medication abortion — even in states where it remains legal.

Why this matters:

• Mifepristone has been used in the U.S. for more than 20 years and is backed by extensive research showing it is safe and effective.
• Nearly 30% of abortions in early 2025 were provided via telehealth.
• Around 15,000 abortions per month were being prescribed remotely under state shield laws by mid-2025.

Julie Kay, Founder & CEO of Reproductive Futures, called these lawsuits “thinly veiled attempts” to block telehealth medication abortion — not a response to new medical evidence. She emphasized that telemedicine abortion has become incredibly popular in all 50 states and is especially vital in under-resourced areas.

A hearing this week could have nationwide implications.

Louisiana mifepristone lawsuit could hinder telehealth abortion nationwide A hearing is set for Tuesday in a federal lawsuit led by Louisiana seeking to further restrict access to mifepristone by asking the courts to stop abortion pills from being mailed across the country. The Department of Justice has argued plaintiffs lack standing to bring the case and asked the judge....

"Why They’re Coming for Mifepristone" — Repro Rights NOW

Telemedicine abortion works—and that success has made it the front in the post-Dobbs legal war.

“The fixation on mifepristone, Kay argues, is not a dispute over safety or science but a tactical response to a reality abortion opponents did not fully anticipate: telemedicine abortion works, and it is rapidly reshaping access to care.”

If you’d like to read more, check out the full piece here:
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Why They’re Coming for Mifepristone Telemedicine abortion works—and that success has made it the front in the post-Dobbs legal war

Reproductive Futures Celebrates Governor Newsom

In a significant win for reproductive health access, CA Governor Newsom denied Louisiana’s attempt to extradite a telemedicine abortion provider. NY Governor Hochul similarly denied an extradition request last year.

Attacks on telemedicine abortion are escalating, but shield laws are working as intended to preserve access. Telemedicine abortion is the only option for many patients in underresourced areas who cannot travel for economic or personal reasons. Three years post-Dobbs, telemedicine abortion accounts for over a quarter of all safe, legal abortions in the US.

The facts are simple. Abortion medication works. Telemedicine works. And we applaud governors who are protecting this vital care.

Newsom Says California Will Not Extradite Abortion Provider to Louisiana The case, escalating the interstate battle over abortion, is the second time Louisiana has criminally charged out-of-state doctors with sending abortion pills to Louisiana residents.