(Reuters) – On Wednesday, a federal judge in South Dakota blocked a state health department rule that would make access to medication abortions more difficult.

Planned Parenthood asked for an injunction against South Dakota’s measure. This was the first section of an executive Order issued by Governor Kristi Nommem last September, a Republican.

In her ruling, Judge Karen Schreier stated that Planned Parenthood had demonstrated that South Dakota was a substantial obstacle to women who seek medication abortions.

Noem made it clear that all drugs involved in mediation abortions must be administered to patients by a licensed medical professional. The typical procedure was for a woman to receive her first medication in a clinic and to be instructed to take the second one 24 to 72 hours later.

In her restraining order, she stated that Planned Parenthood’s Sioux Falls office provides only abortions. Many women drive long distances to visit its office.

Recent months have seen tensions in the US’s legal debate over abortion. The Supreme Court heard arguments on December 3rd from a conservative majority of 6-3 to support Mississippi’s attempt to rescind its ban for 15 weeks.

Conservative justices suggested then that they would be open to either gutting Roe v. Wade or completely overturning it, which was a 1973 case which established a woman’s right to end her pregnancy before she is viable. The decision will be made by June 30th.

The federal government lifted restrictions on abortion medication for 10 weeks. It allowed the drug to be sent via mail, rather than having to be delivered in person. There are 19 states that have their own laws which override the FDA’s decision and prohibit abortion pills from being sent by mail or telehealth consultations.