SCOTUS Order Could Chip Away at Blue State's Abortion Access

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Legal

SCOTUS Order Could Chip Away at Blue State's Abortion Access

What's going on: SCOTUS has asked a lower court to reconsider a religious challenge to a New York law. Under the state measure, employers who provide health insurance are required to cover medically necessary abortions, including in cases of rape and incest. A lower court previously found the New York law didn’t violate the rights of religious employers. But the Supreme Court wants the case to be revisited in light of its ruling last week, which found that Catholic-affiliated charitable groups were wrongly denied religious tax exemptions. On Monday, SCOTUS also agreed to hear a case about faith-based, anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers” in New Jersey — another test of how much latitude religiously affiliated organizations have on reproductive health issues.

What it means: If the lower court scraps this kind of insurance coverage, it could severely restrict abortion access — particularly for low-income patients — even though New York has actively enshrined abortion rights in its state constitution. Legal experts say this case echoes the Court’s 2020 decision to allow broad religious exemptions to the Affordable Care Act’s birth control coverage mandate. It also fits a larger legal pattern: Instead of striking down laws outright, the Supreme Court often nudges lower courts to handle the heavy lift. And anti-abortion politicians and advocates are now not only seeking outright bans, but abortion restrictions via insurance rules and tax classifications. In other words, abortion access isn’t just about state bans anymore — it’s also about bureaucracy. 

Related: Justice Amy Coney Barrett Is Surprising the Left and the Right (NYT Gift Link)

Health

Nurse Practitioners Fill the Prescription for an Aging Nation

What's going on: America is getting older — and the healthcare system is feeling the strain. As demand for elder care rises, The Washington Post reports the number of geriatricians is dropping, with fewer than 7,600 expected to remain as retirements outpace new recruits. By 2030, every baby boomer will be over 65, and the need for geriatric care is projected to rise by 50%. Stepping up: Nurse practitioners. They’re not just backups — more of them are now specializing in aging care. They’re trained to diagnose illness, interpret test results, prescribe medication, and provide critical support to older adults.

What it means: Older Americans already face long waits for primary care — and that’s only expected to get worse. But there’s a bright spot: Since 2010, the number of nurse practitioners trained in geriatrics has more than tripled. That growth is helping meet the need, even as the pool of geriatricians shrinks. Still, experts warn that structural barriers remain. Regulatory red tape and poor care coordination are slowing progress down — and with an aging population, that kind of coordination matters more than ever. This isn’t just a healthcare challenge — it’s a national aging plan that needs backup… stat.

Related: Veterans Affairs Doctors Can Now Refuse To Treat Democrats, Unmarried Vets (The Guardian)

Travel

The Pilot Has Turned On the Seat Belt Light

What's going on: Hotter weather may be behind the uptick in turbulence (and dependence on anti-nausea meds). Multiple studies confirm that skies have gotten bumpier over the past 40 years. One study looked specifically at climate change’s role. Researcher Mohamed Foudad analyzed 11 different climate models, and told The Washington Post that with “each degree of warming we have an increase in this turbulence.” The Southwest is likely to get hit hardest, thanks to a stronger subtropical jet stream in the region.

What it means: Airlines may need to keep extra paper bags on hand and start bracing for bigger challenges. Extreme turbulence can throw passengers from their seats and injure flight crews, forcing emergency inspections and paperwork that cost both time and money. Flight delays may also rise as crews wait out dangerous skies. One atmospheric science expert predicts that turbulence could quadruple in the coming decades, especially along transatlantic routes.

Related: Overtourism Forced France’s Most-Famous Museum To Shutter Its Doors (AP)

Your Political Briefing

The week in political chaos.

Hear ye, hear ye: A new poll shows that 81% of Americans believe the Trump administration needs to listen to federal court orders, but MAGA supporters are split on the issue. 

Reverse migration: For the first time in 50 years, more people might be leaving America than entering. Experts say it could have major long-term effects on the US economy.  

Exempt no more: The Department of Homeland Security told its staff that agents will carry out immigration raids at farms, restaurants, and hotels — a reversal of previous guidance, according to The Washington Post.

New phone, who this?: The Trumps just launched a wireless company — Trump Mobile. And yes, there’s a flashy gold phone.

Settle This

Costco is planning to open its first standalone business operation. What is it?

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ICYMI: Your senators are debating a major tax-and-spending package right now that could repeal clean energy incentives and put hundreds of thousands of jobs in solar, EVs, and battery manufacturing at risk. It already passed the House, but if the Senate votes for it, American energy production could stall and average utility costs will rise more than $400 a year. Want to put a stop to this before it affects your wallet? Email your senator and let them know you oppose the House’s clean energy repeal.*

Game Time

Start your Tuesday off right with Typeshift, a fun new game that challenges you to create words from a set number of letters. Warning: It’s very addicting. Start playing.