The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear an appeal by Oklahoma in their attempt to reinstate a ban on medical abortions, USA TODAY reported.
Monday's decision to drop the case follows the state's Supreme Court decision made in 2011, striking down the law as an unconstitutional burden on women seeking an abortion.
The Supreme Court said in June it would review the case while simultaneously asked the state's Supreme Court to explain what the law prohibited. On Oct. 29, the Oklahoma Supreme Court responded by saying the law "effectively bans all medication abortions."
The abortion case from Oklahoma tested a newly favored method by anti-abortion advocates and lawmakers, which is asking the justices to follow the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) while handing out abortion-inducing drugs. However, pro-abortion groups claim the FDA-approved rules are outdated approaches and argue doctors should be able to prescribe the drugs "off-label."
The abortion pill is credited to transforing the entire debate -- instead of visiting a clinic, which can be subject to intense protests and regulations, women can visit their doctor's office once, take the pill, and finish the process at home.
As a result, anti-abortion advocates say it makes abortion too available.
Abortion limits will be tested in the high court within the next few months despite the recent decision on the Oklahoma case. Arizona will be seeking the justices to reconsider a ban on abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Oklahoma and Arizona are joined by other states -- North Dakota, Ohio, and Texas -- that have worked to reinstate a ban on off-label drugs as well.
In addition, the Supreme Court will hear an appeal by anti-abortion advocates of a Massachusetts law that allows for a 35-foot prohibited zone from abortion clinics.
