ORLANDO, Fla. — While local pro-choice advocates celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision to preserve the most used abortion pill in the U.S., the fight is nowhere near over.
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The legal fight over abortion is not new to Florida.
On April 13, the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.
Current state law allows abortion until 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Read: What’s next for abortion pill after Supreme Court’s order
On Friday, the Supreme Court preserved women’s access to Mifepristone, rejecting lower-court restrictions while a lawsuit continues.
“There’s a sigh of relief as it’s available for now, but we’re still worried and concerned about what the healthcare leaders will do now,” said Rep. Anna Eskamani.
Mifepristone is used as a two-part pill up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Doctors also use the drug to treat ulcers, manage miscarriages, induce labor, and help with IUD insertions.
Read: What Supreme Court action on abortion means for patients
Eskamani worries about the risks of what could happen if access to Mifepristone is restricted.
“There are scenarios very tragic where women need this medication, need minestrone for a wanted pregnancy that’s no longer viable. You are potentially forcing a woman to carry a pregnancy that’s not viable for no reason but your extremism,” Eskamani said.
Those against the pill are not giving up either.
Grace Ebak was standing outside Planned Parenthood in Orlando, praying to end all abortions, including those using Mifepristone.
“To end a baby that’s developing in the womb -that’s wrong. It doesn’t belong to us; it belongs to good. The conception doesn’t belong to us. It belongs to the lord, and it’s not ours to take away,” Ebak said.
Read: Florida House passes 6-week abortion ban; when it should take effect
The senior counsel for the anti-abortion group ‘Alliance Defending Freedom,’ which brought the initial mifepristone case challenging its FDA approval, responded in a written statement.
“We look forward to a final outcome in this case that will hold the FDA accountable,” said Erik Baptist.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is set for a hearing of the case, with arguments set for May 17.
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