Summary

In a recent decision, the Supreme Court dismissed a case challenging FDA approvals for the abortion pill mifepristone, ruling that anti-abortion groups lacked legal standing. The case could have limited access to the medication nationwide despite state laws. It's the first major abortion-related ruling since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Supporters argued FDA decisions were based on scientific judgment, while opponents cited health risks. Mifepristone is crucial in most U.S. abortions, affecting hormone levels for pregnancy termination up to 10 weeks. The court's move sidestepped judgment on FDA legality but maintained expanded medication access.

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For those who read...

Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of C2 politics! My name is Jake, and today we will be discussing the ins and outs of one of the Supreme Court’s biggest recent cases, concerning the legality of widely used abortion pill mifepristone.

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In a unanimous decision last week, the Supreme Court ruled that anti-abortion advocates do not have legal standing to sue over the FDA’s approval of the medication and their efforts to make it more accessible. The case threatened to restrict the use of mifepristone nationwide, even in states where abortion remains legal following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Last week’s case marks the first decision surrounding the issue of abortion since the landmark case was overturned two years ago.

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The plaintiffs in the case, a group of anti-abortion doctors and other professionals represented by the conservative Christian group Alliance Defending Freedom, argued that the FDA's decisions to make it easier to access the drug put women’s health at risk. On the other hand, the defendants and their supporters cautioned against allowing the judicial system to question the FDA’s scientific judgements.

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Mifepristone was used in nearly two thirds of abortions performed in the U.S. last year. The medication blocks progesterone, an important hormone in the female reproductive system, and gets the uterus ready for the second drug in the abortion process, misoprostol. In combination, these two drugs have been used to end pregnancies up to the 10-week mark. Health care providers have said that if mifepristone were to become illegal, they would be forced to switch to only using misoprostol, which is significantly less effective for performing abortions.

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By throwing out the case on procedural grounds, the Supreme Court avoided having to decide whether or not the FDA acted legally in loosening restrictions. More FDA protocols that remain in place following the decision enable women to use the medication for up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, instead of seven, and allow health care providers who are not physicians to administer the drug.

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The Supreme Court is also considering another abortion case, involving whether or not a federal law on emergency hospital treatments overrides state abortions bans in cases where the patient's health is seriously at risk.

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That is all for this week’s politics episode! Be sure to tune in next Monday for the latest political news, and don’t forget to check out our other episodes on the all news page, highlighting the biggest news in business, pop culture, sports, and everything in between!

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Bulletin Brief

Unanimous Supreme Court preserve access to widely used abortion medication (AP)

Supreme Court rejects bid to restrict access to abortion pill (NBC)