The US Department of Justice has filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling by an appeals court that limits access to the abortion pill.
The case in question involves a Louisiana law that requires any abortion doctor prescribing the abortion pill to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. The Justice Department contends that the law is an “undue burden” on a woman’s right to terminate her pregnancy.
The Louisiana law was enacted and enforced in 2015, but was eventually struck down by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The state is now appealing that ruling to the Supreme Court, and the Justice Department is asking the court to uphold the ruling of the appeals court.
In its brief, the Justice Department argued that the appeals court correctly held that the Louisiana law “is unconstitutional because it imposes an undue burden on the constitutional right of a woman to obtain an abortion.”
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case later this year. If the Court rules against the Louisiana law, it could have implications for similar restrictions in other states.