By THE ALASKA STORY
The US Supreme Court has issued a temporary order allowing women to continue receiving abortion pills by mail, pausing a lower court ruling out of Louisiana that sought to restrict access.
The dispute centers on the abortion drug mifepristone, which has been at the heart of ongoing legal battles nationwide. A federal judge in Louisiana recently ruled to block mail distribution of the drug, even from out-of-state providers, siding with state officials who argued the practice violates Louisiana law.
However, in a short-term move, the high court stepped in to halt that ruling. The order, issued by Justice Samuel Alito, preserves the status quo established under a 2023 policy from the Biden administration that allows the drug to be prescribed via telemedicine and delivered by mail.
The temporary pause will remain in place until at least May 11, giving the justices time to consider emergency appeals filed by drug manufacturers Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro, which argue that restricting mail access would conflict with federal law and longstanding medical practices.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill defended the state’s position, saying the absence of in-person medical oversight raises concerns about patient safety and the potential for coercion. She said her office will continue to enforce state laws targeting the distribution of abortion drugs.
The case is one of several challenges brought by states, including Missouri, Idaho, Kansas, Florida, and Texas, seeking to limit access to abortion medications following changes made during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
For now, the court’s temporary order means mail-order access to mifepristone will continue as the legal battle moves forward.
