Supreme Court Upholds Access to Abortion Medication, Affirming States' Right to Protect Life

## Supreme Court Upholds Access to Abortion Medication, Affirming States' Right to Protect Life

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that Americans will continue to have unrestricted access to the abortion medication mifepristone, dismissing a challenge to its FDA approval. Erin Hawley, a pro-life lawyer who assisted in the legal proceedings leading to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, reflects on the anniversary of the landmark ruling, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to safeguard all life and empower women through pro-life policies.

Supreme Court Upholds Access to Abortion Medication, Affirming States' Right to Protect Life

### Article:

On Friday, March 26th, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously to uphold the FDA's approval of the abortion medication mifepristone, affirming that Americans will maintain full access to the drug. The decision dismissed a legal challenge brought forth by anti-abortion groups that argued the medication posed significant health risks.

Supreme Court Upholds Access to Abortion Medication, Affirming States' Right to Protect Life

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Erin Hawley, a prominent pro-life lawyer and senior counsel at the Alliance Defending Freedom, expressed her gratitude for the Supreme Court's ruling. She stressed that the decision reinforces the states' authority to protect life and that the court had made it unequivocally clear that "there simply was no fundamental right to abortion enshrined in the Constitution."

The Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision in June 2022 overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling of 1973 and the Planned Parenthood v. Casey ruling of 1992, which had established a federal right to abortion. This decision paved the way for states to enact their own laws regarding abortion, with many opting to restrict or ban the procedure.

Supreme Court Upholds Access to Abortion Medication, Affirming States' Right to Protect Life

Hawley explained that the Dobbs decision was significant because it recognized that "nearly every state criminalized abortion at every stage" when the 14th Amendment was adopted in 1868. She emphasized that the Supreme Court affirmed that the Constitution had never recognized a fundamental right to abortion and that the Roe ruling was "illegitimate from the start."

Since the Dobbs decision, 41 states have enacted abortion bans or restrictions, with many including exceptions for rape, incest, and risk to the health of the mother. Fourteen states have imposed near-total abortion bans, and 27 have imposed gestational duration bans, including three states with six-week bans.

Supreme Court Upholds Access to Abortion Medication, Affirming States' Right to Protect Life

Hawley pointed out that states with abortion restrictions have also implemented laws to support new mothers during and after pregnancy. She cited the allocation of tens of millions of dollars annually in these states for various forms of support, reflecting their commitment to serving women and children beyond the stage of pregnancy.

Despite the absence of federal abortion protections, Democratic-led states continue to allow the procedure and have even passed laws to enhance access for women in their states and those traveling from other states. Hawley emphasized the importance of the ongoing March for Life and similar advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the value of life.

Hawley asserted that science supports the notion that life begins at conception and that Alliance Defending Freedom believes "life is valuable no matter how small or vulnerable." She stressed that the value of human life should not be determined by its size or level of development.

Hawley also highlighted the opportunities that the Dobbs decision has presented for voters to express their preferences regarding abortion through ballot measures. She emphasized the importance of changing hearts and minds and promoting the belief that all life is valuable.

Despite the abortion bans in place, studies have shown that the number of abortions has not decreased significantly, as women continue to obtain abortion pills through the mail from states with protective laws. Hawley acknowledged the need for the pro-life movement to work towards convincing the American public of the value of all life.