WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — Conservative Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical Wednesday that state abortion bans that took effect after the ruling overturning Roe v. Wade violate federal health care law.

Their reactions during Wednesday’s oral arguments were based on a legal challenge from Idaho, where state law now bans abortion throughout pregnancy with limited exceptions.

The case marks the first time the Supreme Court has considered the implications of a state ban since the nationwide right to abortion was overturned in 2022.

While members of the high court's conservative majority expressed concern about pregnant patients' ability to get emergency care in the state, it was unclear whether any were swayed by the legal arguments Wednesday.

The Justice Department says abortion care must be allowed in emergencies that seriously threaten a woman's health under a federal health care law that requires hospitals accepting Medicare to provide emergency care regardless of patients' ability to pay. The law under contention is the 1986 Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act.

Idaho contends its ban has exceptions for life-saving abortion, and that expanding the permission to include additional medical emergencies would turn hospitals into “abortion enclaves.”

The Supreme Court has allowed the Idaho law to go into effect as the case goes through the court system. The restriction makes performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Protestors staged themselves outside the courthouse before the hearing began.

“Abortion saves lives,” read signs displayed by abortion rights supporters. Opponents displayed a sign that read, “Emergency rooms are not abortion clinics.”

The Supreme Court is expected to rule by the end of June.

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