Federal Appeals Court Temporarily Blocks Mail-Order Abortion Pills
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily halted the distribution of mifepristone via mail, requiring in-person dispensing at clinics.
On Friday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling temporarily halting the distribution of the abortion pill mifepristone through mail, mandating that it be dispensed in person at clinics. This decision comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the state of Louisiana, which argued that mail-order access to mifepristone undermines its near-total abortion ban. The court stated that "every abortion facilitated by FDA's action cancels Louisiana's ban on medical abortions and undermines its policy that 'every unborn child is human being from the moment of conception and is, therefore, a ... .'" Reproductive rights advocates have expressed concern that this ruling could significantly limit nationwide access to essential reproductive care. An emergency appeal to the Supreme Court is anticipated.