WASHINGTON, D.C. — (BrooklandNews.com) — May 4, 2026 — The Supreme Court of the United States on Monday temporarily restored broad access to the abortion pill mifepristone, blocking a lower court ruling that had threatened to restrict one of the most common methods of abortion in the United States.
The order allows patients to continue obtaining the medication by mail or at pharmacies without an in-person doctor’s visit, rules that had been in place for several years. A federal appeals court had moved to reinstate tighter restrictions last week, prompting an emergency appeal from drug manufacturers.
In a brief order signed by Justice Samuel Alito, the court said the restrictions are “stayed pending further order of the Court,” meaning they are paused while the justices continue to review the case. The decision keeps current access in place for now but does not resolve the underlying legal dispute.
Medication abortions, which typically involve mifepristone and another drug, account for a majority of abortions in the U.S. Access to the pills has become increasingly important since the overturning of Roe v. Wade allowed states to impose their own abortion restrictions.
The case is part of a broader legal battle over abortion access across the country, with states, advocacy groups, and federal officials continuing to clash over how widely the medication should be available. A more permanent ruling from the court is expected in the coming weeks.