WHAT: A Summary Judgment hearing in People of the State of California v. Heartbeat International & RealOptions—a lawsuit in which California seeks to prohibit pro-life pregnancy centers from sharing information about Abortion Pill Reversal (APR), a protocol that uses progesterone to counteract the effects of the first abortion pill (mifepristone). The state targets the First Amendment rights of Heartbeat International and RealOptions, which connect women with APR treatment after they begin a chemical abortion, change their minds, and seek to save their unborn children’s lives.

To schedule an interview following the hearing, contact Katie Clancy at kclancy@thomasmoresociety.org or at (312) 264-5602.

WHEN: Friday, April 17, 2026, 10:00 A.M. PT

WHERE: René C. Davidson Courthouse, 1225 Fallon Street Oakland, CA 94612, Department 18

WHO: Peter Breen, Executive VP & Head of Litigation, Thomas More Society; Paul Jonna, Special Counsel for Thomas More Society and Partner, LiMandri & Jonna LLP; Elizabeth Barrett, mother who saved her pregnancy using APR; Tasha Keirns, CEO of RealOptions.

After more than two years of litigation and extensive discovery, the state has failed to produce a single consumer complaint, any evidence of harm, or a sufficient legal basis to restrict constitutionally protected speech. Court filings include sworn declarations from mothers whose pregnancies were saved through APR, as well as extensive medical evidence including the FDA's own pharmacological review concluding that progesterone counteracts mifepristone and allows for normal pregnancy and delivery.

Key findings from discovery include:

• The state’s key harm study by Dr. Mitchell Creinin was contradicted by his own deposition testimony, showing no hemorrhaging in the APR treatment group, despite the study’s claims.
• Peer-reviewed studies document pregnancy continuation rates of 64–68% following APR treatment, compared to a continuation rate as low as 8% without APR.
• Attorney General Rob Bonta explicitly admitted he cannot satisfy strict scrutiny, the legal standard required when government restricts core constitutional speech.

Thomas More Society is fighting coast to coast to defend the First Amendment rights of pro-life pregnancy centers to share information about Abortion Pill Reversal, taking on attorneys general in both New York and California who are working to silence this life-saving message. Thomas More Society is simultaneously challenging New York Attorney General Letitia James's censorship campaign in litigation currently pending before the New York County Supreme Court (People of the State of New York v. Heartbeat International, et al.).

"The Attorney General has no evidence of harm and no legal basis for this case—only a political agenda to silence pro-life voices. One mother who used APR described raising her daughter as a 'fairytale.' It's unthinkable that California would work to prevent that. Fortunately, the Constitution doesn't permit it." — Peter Breen, Executive Vice President and Head of Litigation, Thomas More Society

"Heartbeat International has long been committed to sharing accurate, evidence-based information—information that has the potential to save lives. Throughout this prolonged legal battle, that mission has not wavered. No woman should ever be backed into an abortion she does not want, and abortion pill reversal continues to offer women a meaningful choice: the opportunity to continue their pregnancies and bring their children into the world. We have weathered years of intimidation and will not be silenced. As this case finally comes before the court, we remain confident that it will be recognized for what it has always been—a sustained effort to weaponize legal authority and suppress a message the plaintiff finds objectionable. That effort has failed to stop us, and it will not succeed now." — Danielle White, General Counsel at Heartbeat International

“We firmly believe that no woman should be forced to complete an abortion she no longer consents to. Through this case, California is attempting to silence a woman’s second chance at choice. Women deserve fully informed consent regarding their reproductive health at every stage, and RealOptions is fighting for this evidence-based treatment to continue protecting women and saving lives.”  — Tasha Keirns, Chief Executive Officer, RealOptions