Hailey
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has initiated legal action against the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, accusing the organization of violating the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act by allegedly misleading women regarding the safety of chemical abortions.
Claims of Deception and Health Risks
According to Attorney General Bailey, the lawsuit charges that Planned Parenthood has intentionally downplayed the dangers of the abortion pill mifepristone, in an attempt to reduce costs and increase profits, despite known health risks.
The suit claims the organization has endangered women’s lives by spreading false information about the drug.
“The national Planned Parenthood organization is putting the lives of women and girls at risk by promoting lies about a dangerous drug,” said Bailey. “It’s a serious violation of Missouri law, and I will not stand by as they pursue a radical agenda at the cost of women’s health.”
Comparisons Called Misleading and Dangerous
The lawsuit focuses particularly on the claim made by Planned Parenthood that mifepristone is “safer than many other medicines like penicillin, Tylenol, and Viagra.”
Bailey argues this is misleading, especially in light of FDA data and peer-reviewed research indicating that over 4.5% of women who take the drug experience serious complications that require emergency medical care. Recent studies suggest that the rate could be closer to 10%.
Missouri officials assert that such comparisons ignore the specific FDA warnings and label instructions for mifepristone, constituting not only disinformation, but also an illegal marketing strategy under state law.
Targeted Messaging to Missouri Women
The lawsuit alleges that Planned Parenthood’s website specifically targets Missouri residents, directing them to local affiliates and promoting the use of mifepristone based on deceptive safety claims.
The suit also contends that women are being encouraged to hide abortion pill use from emergency health providers, increasing the risk of serious medical complications.
Penalties and Demands in the Petition
In the legal petition, Bailey’s office is pursuing several major actions against Planned Parenthood, including:
- Over $1.8 million in civil penalties for ongoing violations of Missouri law.
- Restitution of up to $1,000 per woman who received abortion pills in Missouri over the past five years.
- Reimbursement to the state for emergency Medicaid and other taxpayer-funded medical services related to complications from abortion pills.
- A court order banning the Planned Parenthood Federation of America from making or promoting the disputed claims in Missouri.
The petition emphasizes that comparing mifepristone’s labeled use to the misuse of other drugs is a dishonest tactic, and thus illegal under Missouri law.
Attorney General’s Final Statement
“Planned Parenthood must be held responsible for the misinformation it spreads—not only to women in Missouri, but across the country,” stated Bailey. “No organization is above the law, and this lawsuit aims to ensure accountability.”
Missouri’s legal action against the national Planned Parenthood Federation of America underscores a deepening conflict over abortion access and the regulation of chemical abortion drugs.
At the heart of the suit is the state’s claim that deceptive health claims are being used to influence medical decisions, potentially at the cost of women’s health and public trust. As the case unfolds, it could set a legal precedent regarding how reproductive health organizations communicate drug safety and risk to patients.