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Justices say women must obtain abortion pill in person

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

FILE - In this Nov. 5, 2020, file photo the Supreme Court is seen in Washington. The Supreme Court has ordered that women must visit a doctor's office, hospital, or clinic in person to obtain an abortion pill during the COVID-19 pandemic, though similar rules for other drugs have been suspended during the public health emergency. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By: Scripps National & Associated Press

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has ordered that women must visit a doctor's office, hospital, or clinic in person to obtain an abortion pill during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similar rules for other drugs have been suspended during the public health emergency.

Eight days before President Donald Trump leaves office, the justices on Tuesday granted a Trump administration appeal to be able to enforce a longstanding rule on getting the abortion pill, mifepristone.

The pill need not be taken in the presence of medical professionals.

The new administration could put the in-person requirement on hold after Joe Biden takes office.

The court split 6-3, with the liberal justices in dissent.

According to The Associated Press, the Food and Drug Administration approved mifepristone to be used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol.

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