SUPREME COURT Shocker: Emergency Abortions Allowed in Idaho
— The Supreme Court is set to permit emergency abortions in Idaho when a pregnant patient’s health is at serious risk. A draft opinion briefly posted on the court’s website indicates a 6-3 vote to reinstate a lower court order allowing such procedures. Conservative Justices Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch dissented.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted that this decision does not resolve the core issues of Idaho’s strict abortion ban. She emphasized that today’s ruling is merely a delay, not a victory for pregnant patients in Idaho. The case will continue at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court and may return to the Supreme Court later.
The Supreme Court acknowledged an inadvertent posting of the document and stated that an official opinion would be issued “in due course.” This development leaves many key questions unanswered, prolonging uncertainty around Idaho’s abortion laws.