Nurse Midwife Wins $700K Settlement After Challenging Abortion Reversal Medication Ban
- Colorado paid $700,000 in attorneys' fees specifically to settle the case involving nurse practitioner Chelsea Mynyk, who challenged the state's abortion pill reversal ban.
- This was part of a larger $6.1 million total settlement against the ban.
- Mynyk faced a 2024 investigation by the Colorado State Board of Nursing over an anonymous complaint related to providing abortion pill reversal services.
In January 2026, Colorado made headlines by settling a legal case for $700,000 in attorneys' fees involving nurse practitioner Chelsea Mynyk, a certified nurse midwife and the owner of Castle Rock Women’s Health, an openly anti-abortion clinic, for her role in prescribing abortion reversal medication.
The lawsuit, part of a larger $6.1 million settlement in Bella Health and Wellness v. Weiser, challenged Colorado’s controversial 2023 law that banned healthcare providers from offering abortion pill reversal treatments.
The Washington Times reported that the settlement, which was announced last week, requires the state of Colorado to pay $5.4 million to attorneys for Bella Health and Wellness, the Catholic pro-life pregnancy center that first challenged the law, as well as $700,000 to the legal team for Mynyk.
What Happened? The Colorado Case
Chelsea Mynyk found herself in the middle of this legal storm after an anonymous complaint triggered a state board investigation into her practice.
The nurse-midwife (CNM) had been providing abortion pill reversal treatments, a procedure that involves giving progesterone to counteract mifepristone—the first medication in a two-drug abortion regimen—for patients who decide to halt a medication abortion.
The problem was that in 2023, Colorado had passed a law banning the use of progesterone for the purposes of reversing a medication abortion. The state called using progesterone to reverse abortions “unprofessional conduct” and established that doing so was “deceptive trade practice."
In 2024, Mynyk was notified by the Colorado State Board of Nursing of an "investigation" into her actions being in possible violation of the Nurse Practice Act because she was prescribing progesterone for the purposes of reversing the abortion.
However, after a legal battle, the state’s ban on this practice was blocked in August 2025 when U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico issued a permanent injunction, ruling that Colorado didn’t have enough medical or safety evidence to justify the restriction.
The ruling has led to Colorado facing a large payout sum.
What is 'Abortion Reversal' Medication?
Some nurses may not have heard of using progesterone as a form of reversing a medication-induced abortion, but that may be because it's not recommended by leading medical organizations.
For instance, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has raised concerns about the evidence behind abortion pill reversal, stating that there isn’t enough robust research to support its widespread use.
Other reproductive health facilities, such as Planned Parenthood, have also openly opposed the use of progesterone to "reverse" abortions.
On the flip side, proponents argue that case reports show positive outcomes, like Bella Health and Wellness reporting 18 babies born to patients who underwent this treatment during the litigation period.
What the Case Means for Nurses
So, what can nurses learn from this? If you’re a nurse working in reproductive health, it's a good reminder to make sure you’re up to date on your state’s laws, your facility’s policies, and the latest clinical evidence, along with practicing appropriate documentation guidelines.
Here are a few key lessons to take with you:
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Know Your Scope of Practice: Understanding what you’re legally allowed to do in your state is non-negotiable. Laws can change quickly, and staying informed is your best defense.
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Stay Evidence-Based: Even when the evidence is limited or contested, it’s your job to give patients accurate and balanced information. If there’s a gap in the research, be transparent about that.
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Protect Your License: Anonymous complaints and board investigations can happen to anyone. Document thoroughly, follow protocols, and consult your nursing organization or legal resources if you’re ever unsure.
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Respect Patient Autonomy: At the end of the day, it’s about the patient. Whether or not you agree with their choices, your role is to support them with compassion and professionalism.
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