US Supreme Court Restores Access to Abortion Pill

The US Supreme Court has temporarily reinstated a rule allowing the abortion pill mifepristone to be prescribed via telemedicine and sent by mail.

The decision by Justice Samuel Alito puts on hold an appeals court ruling that sought to restore an older requirement for an in-person doctor's visit. The move is an administrative action giving the court more time to consider urgent requests from the drug's makers.

The litigation was initiated by the state of Louisiana, which argues that rules relaxed under the Biden administration undermine its strict anti-abortion laws.

The drug's makers contend that accessibility is critical for patients. Medication abortion now accounts for more than 60% of all abortions in the country.

(reuters, mja)