Hecker Fink Files Amicus Brief on behalf of Vet Voice Foundation in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Louisiana v. FDA

On April 23, 2026, Hecker Fink filed an amicus brief on behalf of Vet Voice Foundation in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in State of Louisiana v. Food & Drug Administration, No. 26-30203. The case concerns the FDA’s regulation of mifepristone, with the State of Louisiana seeking to reimpose the in-person dispensing requirement for the drug. Vet Voice Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to strengthening the U.S. military and supporting current and former servicemembers.

The brief argues that telehealth access to mifepristone directly supports military readiness by allowing servicemembers to obtain abortion care without extended travel or leave, preserving personnel availability and reducing disruptions to unit operations. When access to reproductive healthcare is restricted, servicemembers face barriers—compounded by the unique demands of military life, including rigid command structures and the inability to choose duty stations. These barriers weaken recruitment, drive attrition, and erode unit cohesion. Reimposing in-person requirements for mifepristone would degrade overall military readiness and undermine national security.

The Hecker Fink Team includes Clara Spera, Kate Epstein, Maddie Verniero, and Amelia Levitt-Smith.

Read the full brief here.