July 16, 2024
Access & Coverage | Tea Leaves
  • The Supreme Court dismissed a significant abortion case on Thursday, marking a temporary win for abortion-rights advocates in Idaho. The case involved the state’s near-total ban on abortion, which permits emergency abortions only to save a pregnant person’s life but not for severe health issues. The Biden administration argued for broader access to emergency abortions under federal law, emphasizing the obligation of emergency rooms to provide necessary care. However, the Supreme Court opted not to address the conflict between state and federal laws directly, allowing lower courts to continue grappling with these legal questions. Emergency abortions can proceed in Idaho for now, though the broader issue of pre-emption between state and federal laws regarding abortion remains unresolved and likely to resurface. (Article here)