A federal appeals court has ruled to impose new restrictions on the abortion pill, mifepristone, but the ruling will not take effect until the Supreme Court weighs in. The ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans states that mifepristone should not be sent through the mail. However, a previous stay by the Supreme Court means that the pill will remain on the market and available by mail for the time being.

The case was brought forward by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal organization. They argue that the use of mifepristone should be restricted in order to protect the health and safety of women.

If the Supreme Court upholds the ruling, it could have significant implications for access to medication abortions. Patients would no longer be able to obtain the abortion pill through telemedicine appointments and by mail. Instead, they would have to receive a prescription from a doctor and make three follow-up appointments in person. The time period for taking the pill would also be shortened.

The Supreme Court is likely to hear the case in the fall, along with another case from Washington state that seeks to expand access to the medication. This case is an unprecedented challenge to the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to approve medications.