Supreme Court Upholds Access to Abortion Pill Mifepristone Via Telehealth

Why it matters locally: Utah has some of the nation's most restrictive abortion laws, including a trigger law that would ban most abortions if Roe v. Wade were overturned. This ruling ensures that residents in Utah can still access mifepristone through telehealth and mail delivery under current federal regulations, though state law restrictions may limit clinical abortion access within Utah's borders.

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Thursday that the abortion pill mifepristone will remain available for prescription via online or phone consultation and can be sent through the mail. The court's decision rejected a challenge to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulations governing the distribution of mifepristone. The challenge questioned the overall FDA authorization of the abortion pill. The ruling ensures that current practices for accessing mifepristone will continue, allowing individuals to receive prescriptions remotely and obtain the medication through the mail.