Supreme Court temporarily restores full access to abortion pill

The Supreme Court provisionally blocked a lower court decision that would have limited availability nationwide of the abortion pill mifepristone.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday provisionally blocked a lower court decision that would have limited availability nationwide of the abortion pill mifepristone.

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In two brief orders, Justice Samuel Alito, one of the court's conservatives, said the decision by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals would remain on hold until at least May 11. Alito issued the order because he is the justice who handles emergency issues arising from that appeals court, which covers Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

The temporary pause gives the high court time to consider next steps in the case as it weighs separate emergency requests filed by drugmakers Danco and GenBioPro.