Supreme Court Reinstates Access to Abortion Pills—For Now
The Supreme Court has temporarily reinstated a rule allowing abortion pills to be prescribed via telemedicine and mailed to patients, pausing a lower court's attempt to block the practice. The decision, issued by Justice Samuel Alito, halts a Fifth Circuit ruling that sought to restrict access to mifepristone nationwide. The case stems from a Louisiana lawsuit challenging the FDA's 2023 rule change, with broader implications for abortion access and political dynamics ahead of the 2024 elections.
- ▪The Supreme Court temporarily restored access to mifepristone via telemedicine, pausing a Fifth Circuit decision that would have blocked it.
- ▪Nearly two-thirds of abortions in the U.S. involve abortion pills, with about 30% conducted through telemedicine.
- ▪Louisiana, Texas, and Florida have filed lawsuits challenging FDA rules on mifepristone, arguing the drug undermines state abortion bans.
- ▪The Fifth Circuit, composed of judges with anti-abortion views, ruled 3-0 that Louisiana suffers irreparable harm from telemedicine prescriptions.
- ▪Justice Samuel Alito issued the stay, which remains in effect until at least May 11, despite his role in overturning Roe v. Wade.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "motherjones_right_rail_1", slotId: "ROS_ATF_300x600" }); Supporters of Planned Parenthood and reproductive health advocates rally outside the US Supreme Court.Gent Shkullaku/ZUMA press Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily. The Supreme Court on Monday temporarily reinstated a Food and Drug Administration rule allowing the abortion pill mifepristone to be prescribed via telemedicine and dispensed through the mail. The order, by Justice Samuel Alito Jr., paused a ruling by the federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that sought to block nationwide access to mifepristone by cutting off telemedicine providers.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Mother Jones.
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