Supreme Court Temporarily Extends Access to Abortion Pill Mifepristone Amid Legal Dispute
The Supreme Court has temporarily extended access to the abortion pill mifepristone, allowing it to remain available through pharmacies and mail order until at least Thursday. This decision comes as the court deliberates on a ruling from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which sought to reinstate pre-pandemic restrictions requiring in-person prescriptions. The case originated from a lawsuit filed by Louisiana, challenging the FDA's rules on mifepristone, arguing that telemedicine access undermines the state's abortion ban. The FDA had previously eased restrictions on the drug, which is used in combination with misoprostol for medication abortions, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S. in 2023. The Supreme Court's decision to extend access comes amidst ongoing debates and legal challenges surrounding abortion rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. 
