The SCOTUS abortion pills case, explained

How Louisiana brought mifepristone back to the Supreme Court.

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May 14, 2026 12:45pm EDT

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When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in 2022, it left abortion rulemaking up to the states. But what happens if the law in one state affects abortion access in another? Take, for example, Louisiana, which has some of the most restrictive abortion rules in the country. It’s still quite easy for a resident of the state to get an abortion – they can book a telehealth appointment with a provider in another state and receive medication to induce an abortion via the mail.

This tension is at the heart of some action at the Supreme Court this week. The court must decide whether to allow access to the pills while a lawsuit – Louisiana has sued the FDA – winds its way up to the court.

On Today, Explained, host Sean Rameswaram takes a look at the action at the Supreme Court this week – the stakes are high and it could once again remake how abortion works in America.

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—Jolie Myers, Deputy Executive Producer, Today, Explained