WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court heard its first test on Wednesday of state abortion bans that have been enacted since the court upended the Roe v. Wade constitutional right to abortion. While the current case involves an Idaho abortion ban, the court’s ruling could have implications beyond that state.
Idaho lawmakers have banned abortion except when a mother’s life is at risk. The Biden administration says the state law conflicts with a federal law requiring emergency room doctors to stabilize patients, no matter what, even if that means an abortion.
How the court will rule is uncertain. The justices could make a major ruling — or they could rule narrowly on how Idaho’s state law interacts with the federal law, the the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act ( EMTALA ).
A look at the key points in Wednesday’s arguments.
Attorneys for both sides warned that the justices’ ruling could affect women and doctors far beyond Idaho, changing how emergency rooms treat patients in many other states.
“There are 22 states with abortion laws on the books,” said Attorney Joshua N. Turner, who represented Idaho. “This isn’t going to end with Idaho. … This question is going to come up in state after state.”
Hamas releases video showing well
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 32,414
Company believes it found sunken barge in Ohio River near Pittsburgh, one of 26 that got loose
Lucy Boynton turns heads in two eye
Hairy Biker Dave Myers left wife Liliana £1.4m it's revealed
US Pentagon chief speaks with Chinese counterpart for first time since November 2022
Artworks shine at the international consumer products expo
China exercises veto power in UN Security Council to uphold international justice: envoy
DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Labour runs out of ammo on defence
German chancellor presses China on Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
New gallery finds footing in Beijing Fun