Story perspectives

Alito Grants One-Week Stay, Keeps Mifepristone Nationwide Until May 11

5/6/2026

Center

Alito Restores Access

Justice Samuel Alito issued a one-week stay on the Fifth Circuit order, keeping mail-order mifepristone available nationwide until May 11.
The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily restored nationwide access to the abortion pill mifepristone by halting the Fifth Circuit’s restriction.
Louisiana sued, saying the FDA’s 2023 rule undermines abortion bans and forces Medicaid emergency-care spending.
Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro warned the order caused confusion, treatment delays and supply-chain disruption.

Left

Supreme Court Restores

Republican lawmakers in Utah passed a bill allowing state to replace a judge with a three-judge panel after a ruling.
The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily restored nationwide access to the abortion pill mifepristone by halting the Fifth Circuit’s restriction.
Tennessee enacted an April 2025 emergency-care law with vague abortion exception language.
Attorney general of Tennessee says law renders challenges moot by asserting patients receive needed care.

History

Historical Context

After the FDA granted Danco Laboratories approval for mifepristone on September 28 2000, the drug became the nation’s primary medical-abortion option. The 2022 Dobbs ruling removed federal abortion protections, prompting lawsuits that led a Texas judge to suspend the approval in April 2023. Justice Samuel Alito’s one-week stay of the Fifth Circuit order revives the 2000 approval amid ongoing state-level battles.

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Alito Restores Access

Justice Samuel Alito issued a one-week stay on the Fifth Circuit order, keeping mail-order mifepristone available nationwide until May 11.
The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily restored nationwide access to the abortion pill mifepristone by halting the Fifth Circuit’s restriction.
Louisiana sued, saying the FDA’s 2023 rule undermines abortion bans and forces Medicaid emergency-care spending.
Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro warned the order caused confusion, treatment delays and supply-chain disruption.

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