Federal judge blocks South Dakota abortion pill order News
© WikiMedia (Charles Edward Miller)
Federal judge blocks South Dakota abortion pill order

A judge for the US District for the District South Dakota Wednesday blocked an executive order that would have restricted medication abortions.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem issued the order in September, which would have prevented people from accessing abortion pills through telemedicine appointments by requiring the pills to be taken at an abortion provider facility. It would also have required staff to inform the patient that it is possible to reverse the process after administering the medication.

Planned Parenthood challenged the order, arguing that it placed an undue burden on women seeking abortion services. In the order granting the motion for a temporary restraining order, Judge Karen Schreier wrote:

Planned Parenthood is likely to prevail on the merits of its case. Planned Parenthood and its patients face irreparable harm if the temporary restraining order is not granted. The balance of the harms is in Planned Parenthood’s favor. And public policy favors granting a temporary injunction.

A hearing on Planned Parenthood’s request for a preliminary injunction against Noem’s order is set for February 1.

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