Supreme Court Extends Access to Abortion Pill Mifepristone

Why it matters locally: As South Dakota law largely prohibits abortion, the availability of mifepristone elsewhere in the country remains relevant for individuals who may travel out of state for such services, and raises questions about the enforcement of South Dakota's existing abortion laws.

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The Supreme Court has again extended access to mifepristone, an abortion pill. On Thursday, justices temporarily paused a lower court ruling. The ruling would have prohibited telehealth prescriptions and mail distribution of the drug. Mary Ziegler, a professor at the University of California Davis School of Law, discussed the implications of the court's decision. She also addressed the ongoing legal challenges regarding access to the medicine. According to Ziegler, the legal battle surrounding mifepristone remains active. The Supreme Court's action allows current practices regarding mifepristone distribution to continue temporarily. The justices have not yet ruled on the merits of the case, only on whether to put the lower court's order on hold while litigation proceeds.