The issue focused on Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson's order prohibiting state agencies from spending money on abortion services in the state, but did not rule on whether it was constitutional. Although a district court in 2015 concluded it did not violate the constitutional rights of women, a panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed.


The U.S. Supreme Court sent the case back to the lower court for further review.


The Arkansas case has drawn particular scrutiny for its multiple branches of government.