Supreme Court to Decide High-Stakes Appeal on Nationwide Access to Abortion Drug
In a controversial move, the Supreme Court is set to decide another high-stakes appeal over nationwide access to the abortion drug mifepristone. The decision comes just two years after the court’s controversial ruling that ended a constitutional right to abortion. Oral arguments for the case are scheduled for Tuesday, with a ruling expected in about three months.
The case revolves around the federal government’s approval process of mifepristone, a medication used to terminate pregnancies. While the case focuses on complex federal regulatory procedures, reproductive rights are once again at the center of the debate. Abortion rights groups argue that the drug has been proven safe and that the court’s decision could have a negative impact on 40 million women nationwide who rely on mifepristone for abortions.
On the other hand, anti-abortion organizations claim that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has unlawfully promoted a nationwide regime of on-demand abortion, disregarding state health and safety laws. They argue that the FDA did not fully consider the potential health risks to women when revising regulations for mifepristone in 2016.
Currently, the Supreme Court is allowing the FDA to continue regulating the drug while the appeals process plays out. This includes telemedicine prescriptions and retail pharmacy dispensing. Major pharmacy chains Walgreens and CVS have recently announced that they are certified to dispense the abortion drugs under new rules.
The plaintiffs in the case are led by four national medical associations of anti-abortion doctors linked to the conservative advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom. They filed the lawsuit against the FDA, arguing that the agency removed important safeguards for women, such as in-person doctor visits.
The Supreme Court will also address other abortion-related issues in the coming months, including a challenge to Idaho’s abortion restrictions and whether they violate federal laws. These cases could have a significant impact on the November election, as the abortion issue continues to be a divisive topic.
The decision in the mifepristone case could reignite the debate on abortion and have far-reaching implications on reproductive rights in the United States. With nine appointed justices set to make the final ruling, the outcome will be closely watched by both supporters and opponents of abortion rights.
