US Appeals Court Upholds Limited Access to Abortion Pill Despite Controversy

The US appeals court has upheld the availability of the abortion pill, mifepristone, but with significant restrictions, including a requirement for in-person doctor visits to obtain the drug. The court declined to block portions of a previous order that reinstated restrictions on the pill's distribution, including limiting its use to the first seven weeks of pregnancy. The ruling came from a panel of three 5th Circuit judges, two appointed by then-President Donald Trump and one by George W. Bush, both Republicans. The Biden administration, the anti-abortion groups, or both could now appeal the U.S. Supreme Court.