Reproductive Rights

About That Mifepristone Prescription…

What's going on: The Supreme Court could hear another milestone abortion case by the end of 2026 — and in the meantime, the entire country’s telehealth access to mifepristone just got put on pause. Last year, Louisiana’s attorney general sued the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), arguing the agency undermined the state’s near-total abortion ban by allowing mifepristone to be sent from outside the state via mail. On Friday, the highly conservative Fifth US Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Louisiana, and temporarily blocked telehealth prescriptions for the drug until SCOTUS weighs in. Now, two companies that make mifepristone have asked the high court to step in, restore telehealth access, and prevent what they call “chaos.” 

What's the impact?: Experts call this the most sweeping threat to abortion since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. Until SCOTUS responds to the drug manufacturers’ appeal, both healthcare providers and patients are stuck in limbo. Doctors can still prescribe misoprostol, another safe and effective option for medication abortion and miscarriage management. If the decision stands, abortion access will drastically change: About one in four abortions now happens via telehealth, thanks in part to shield laws, and most rely on mifepristone. In addition to limiting reproductive care, the case could open the door for more lawsuits to challenge the FDA’s authority. Even if the pause is only temporary, it will disrupt care, and those in rural areas and with limited access to childcare, transportation, and time off will likely be hit the hardest.

Related: SCOTUS Ruled in Favor of Trump-Backed “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” (The Guardian)

Health

Mammogram Guidance Gets Even More Dense

What’s going on: The “rules” about when to get a mammogram have become about as elastic as that bra you accidentally threw in the dryer. The American College of Physicians (ACP) just put out new guidance that pushes screening requirements back by 10 years for those with an “average risk” of developing breast cancer. The ACP recommends that this group start screening at 50, despite decades of medical advice from other organizations. It also says false positives are common, and evidence suggests those patients end up skipping future screenings due to “scanxiety.” Reminder: Breast cancer rates are on the rise among women under 45. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends screenings start at 40, with follow-ups every one to two years.

So, which guidelines should we follow?: When it comes to screenings, “one size fits all” is outdated. Things don’t get any easier when two of the leading medical bodies disagree on the details. However, some research suggests that basing your checkup frequency on risk factors can be just as effective at catching cancer as annual mammograms. So get comfortable being your own advocate. Take into account your breast density, genetics, and family history — your doctor and tools like this can help you figure out where you stand. More experts preach “breast self-awareness.” That means knowing what’s normal for you, and flagging anything that feels off (like pain, changes in shape or size, or discharge) to your doctor. Screening technology and guidance will likely continue to evolve, with AI and “liquid biopsies.”

PS: Health news moves fast. Every Wednesday, we look at everything from breaking studies to viral trends to give you the need-to-know in health, nutrition, and fitness in our weekly Well + Good newsletter. Sign up here.

Related: Confused About When To Screen? You’re Not Alone (US News & World Report)

So, Long Spirit

Every Fee Imaginable Was Still Not Enough 

What’s going on: After 34 years of unbeatable fares (and very beatable service), Spirit Airlines has been grounded indefinitely. The OG budget airline shut down Saturday in typical Spirit fashion: It simply canceled all of its flights, leaving travelers stranded as other airlines stepped in like backup Ubers. Spirit had flirted with collapse before — it filed for bankruptcy twice and even held $500 million bailout talks — but this time, the company says surging fuel costs tied to the Iran war pushed it over the edge. Love them or loathe them (mostly loathe), the “Dollar General of the skies” established a competitive model that forced bigger airlines to change their ways. It’s the reason we have “basic economy,” but it also brought out the worst in us. 

What it means: Its shutdown left thousands stranded — and put roughly 17,000 employees out of work overnight. And for those still holding tickets? Though customer service was famously unresponsive before, it has now completely shuttered operations, and there’s no one at the airport to field questions. Here’s what the airline has promised: refunds for tickets booked directly with a credit or debit card will be issued automatically. If you booked through a third party, you’ll need to go through them instead. If you paid another way, expect it to be as difficult as reclaiming lost luggage — good luck if you’re filing for chargebacks or a travel insurance claim. Gone but forever haunting us.

Related: Spirit's Fall Could Set Off a Domino Effect for Other Budget Airlines (CNBC)