Nine months after the US Supreme Court ended the national right to abortion, the landscape is far from settled, with lawmakers considering broader restrictions or stronger protections and legal challenges emerging nationwide.
It’s been a busy week for abortion policy with Republican-dominated states seeking to tighten restrictions, Democratic lawmakers trying to protect abortion access — and court battles taking place on multiple fronts.
Here’s what happened:
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE ABORTION PILL?
This question lies at the heart of the most closely watched abortion-related lawsuits.
The combination of two drugs is the most common way in the country to end a pregnancy.
But the Alliance Defending Freedom, which opposes abortion, is asking a Texas judge to revoke or delay the US Food and Drug Administration’s 2000 approval of one drug, mifepristone. The legal question arises as the Biden Administration seeks to make the pill more widely available and pharmacies and states determine whether that will happen.
After a hearing last week, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, sitting in Amarillo, Texas, said he would rule “to the extent possible.”
In the meantime, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon became the first in the state to sign a bill specifically banning the abortion pill. It will take effect in July. Thirteen countries already have a blanket ban on all forms of abortion and 15 have access restrictions, such as requiring the pill to be prescribed only and directly by a doctor.
The same day Gordon signed on, California Democrats introduced a measure intended to give legal protections to doctors who ship abortion pills to patients in other states. Several other Democratic-controlled states have proposed or enacted similar legislation.
WHAT DOES BANS MEAN IN ENGLISH?
Wyoming’s Gordon also allowed a separate ban on abortion at all stages of pregnancy to go into effect Sunday without his signature. However, a judge on Wednesday halted enforcement, at least for now.
Teton County District Court Judge Melissa Owens blocked the ban last year before it took effect. The first restraining order remains in effect until the court decides that it complies with the state constitution.
WHAT ARE THE OTHER RECENT COURT DECISIONS?
This week, the Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down a narrow portion of the state’s abortion ban.
The court ruled that a woman has the right to an abortion if her doctor finds that continuing the pregnancy endangers her life, not just when she is in a life-threatening medical emergency.
Are there other anti-abortion measures?
The Kansas House on Wednesday passed a bill that says if an abortion procedure accidentally results in a live birth, medical personnel must try to save the baby’s life. The legislation now goes to the state Senate, where it will also act.
At least 18 other states have similar laws on the books. Opponents say this is a rare situation – but the law would create additional trauma for women seeking abortions.
A similar measure was on the ballot in Montana last year and voters rejected it.
WHAT COUNTRIES PROTECT ABORTION?
Oregon lawmakers heard testimony this week on a bill that would protect abortion providers and patients from criminal and civil liability in other states and would allow people to bring lawsuits against public bodies for interfering with reproductive health rights. The measure also seeks to protect gender-affirming treatment in the country.
Minnesota lawmakers passed a bill to ban in-state enforcement, subpoenas, court or extradition requests from other states for people who obtain, provide or assist in abortions there. Hawaii Governor Josh Green is expected to sign a similar measure on Wednesday. As in other states, both governors signed executive orders for equal protection.