The US Supreme Court has just heard oral arguments on a case regarding a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks
The final ruling is expected to be delivered in June… and could result in millions of American women losing access to abortion.
The Supreme Court has never allowed bans before a foetus can survive outside the womb, but appears to be leaning towards allowing such state-based restrictions.
Both sides of the debate are viewing this case as an all-or-nothing fight, with justices being asked to overturn the key Roe v Wade decision, which is the 1973 case that legalised abortion nationwide.
“It is particularly important to show that what we do in overturning a case is grounded in principle and not social pressure,” Justice Stephen Breyer warned.
Mississippi is asking the court to uphold its state law that bars abortion 15 weeks after conception.
If the conservative Supreme Court does overturn the ruling… it could also result in abortion bans being implemented in as many as half of America’s states that are already preparing to prohibit the procedure.
As such, women in the South and Midwest would need to drive hundreds of miles to find the nearest abortion clinic.
