The Supreme Court issued a stay in the Texas mifepristone case on Friday, April 21, pressing the “pause” button on the recent lower court decisions and allowing mifepristone to remain available pending a full appeal. Although this is welcome news, it is frightening that Americans came so close to losing access to this safe, effective medication — and may yet still.

More than 20 years ago, the FDA approved the drug mifepristone, a safe and effective pill used in medication abortions. Today, abortion pills are the most common way to terminate early pregnancy, but an unprecedented case before a federal judge in Texas threatens access to this vital medication and could have dire consequences for bodily autonomy and freedom of choice nationwide – even in states where abortion is protected.

A crucial election is upon us. Early voting has begun in dozens of states, and on November 8th the American public will participate in a midterm election where abortion is on the ballot like never before. And despite attempts to pit concerns about the economy against access to abortion, the reality is that abortion is an economic issue. For example, women denied an abortion are significantly more likely to live in poverty years later.