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Abortion pill access is in jeopardy nationwide amid two competing federal rulings

Literature about medication abortions is seen at the Women's Reproductive Clinic, which provides legal medication abortion services, in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
Literature about medication abortions is seen at the Women's Reproductive Clinic, which provides legal medication abortion services, in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

Last month, we checked in on the federal court case happening in Amarillo, Texas, that would determine the regulatory future of mifepristone – a drug used in miscarriage care and medication abortions.

Since then, the Trump-appointed Texas judge has ruled to revoke the FDA’s approval of the drug.

Soon after, in Washington, a different federal judge ruled to keep mifepristone available. Now the case has been appealed to the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court, with many legal experts saying Supreme Court intervention isn’t far off.

All this is happening as a newly-passed Idaho law restricts abortion-related travel.

What do the conflicting court hearings mean for access to abortion pills in America? We convene a panel of experts to talk about it.

Copyright 2023 WAMU 88.5

Lauren Hamilton