HealthMay 12, 2026

High Court Pauses Change to Mail Delivery of Abortion Pill

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② Start Lesson

Key Vocabulary

pause/pɔːz/

a short stop or delay

"The judge made a short pause during the hearing."

telehealth/ˈtɛl.i.hɛlθ/

medical care done by phone or video

"She had a telehealth visit with her doctor."

pharmacy/ˈfɑːr.mə.si/

a place where medicine is sold

"I picked up my prescription at the pharmacy."

Listening

High Court Pauses Change to Mail Delivery of Abortion Pill

On May 11, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court paused a lower-court decision that would limit the abortion pill mifepristone. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. issued the short order. The pause keeps medicine available at pharmacies and by mail until at least Thursday, May 14, 2026.

People and drug companies had asked the court to act after a federal appeals court said mifepristone must be picked up in person. The Food and Drug Administration had allowed the pill to be sent by mail before. For now, patients can still get the drug by telehealth and mail while the justices consider the case.

101 words

Quiz

1. Who issued the short order?

2. When did the Supreme Court pause the decision?

3. How can patients still get the drug for now?

Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

Discussion

Do you use telehealth for any medical care? Why or why not?

Have you ever had to pick up medicine at a pharmacy? What was it like?

What do you think when you hear about short court orders that change services for a few days?