Aria Medical Clinic v. Kansas Board of Nursing, et. al (Kansas)

This state case seeks to increase the availability of abortion care in Kansas by challenging a Kansas law and administrative regulation that prevent Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (“APRNs”) from prescribing abortion medications.  

APRNs have advanced specialized knowledge, training, and education and are fully qualified to safely prescribe abortion medications. Even though Kansas law allows APRNs to prescribe all other medications—including controlled substances and mifepristone and misoprostol for non-abortion related needs—it does not let APRNs prescribe medication if for an abortion.  

Worldwide studies consistently show that APRNs can safely and effectively provide medication abortion care without sacrificing the quality of care and studies on medication abortion have consistently proven it to be a safe form of healthcare. APRNs prescribe drugs for medication abortion across the country and have demonstrated that there is no risk in allowing them to provide this care. This law is an arbitrary restriction that has no medical justification and seeks to interfere with patients’ right to abortion protected by the Kansas state constitution. 

Kansas is a state with a deep history of abortion intimidation led by extremist groups and individuals.  Additionally, post-Roe state abortion bans have robbed pregnant people—particularly in the South—of access to care. APRNs in Kansas are ready to help close the access gap by prescribing abortion medication.  It is vital that all qualified medical professionals be able to provide medication abortion to increase the pool of available providers to increase access to care. 

The right to abortion is protected in Kansas. This law violates Kansas citizens’ constitutional right to personal autonomy—which includes the right to abortion—and their right to equal protection, both provided by the Kansas Constitution.  

Aria Medical Clinic; Elyse Gilbert 

Kansas State Board of Nursing; President of the Kansas State Board of Nursing Andrea Watson; Executive administrator of the Kansas State Board of Nursing Carol Moreland; Attorney General of the State of Kansas Kris Kobach; District Attorney for Sedgwick County Marc Bennett.

Joseph, Hollander & Craft LLC

Plaintiffs file Petition