The so-called “morning-after” pill must be made immediately available over the counter for women of all ages. The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit made the decision Wednesday.

The ruling requires a ban to be lifted on restrictions for the two-pill version of the emergency contraception until the court rules on an appeal.  The appeal—by the federal government—aims to maintain limits on access to the contraceptive drugs, according to the New York Times.

Center for Reproductive Rights President and CEO, Nancy Northup, called the ruling a “historic day for women’s health.”  In a prepared statement she said, “Finally, after more than a decade of politically motivated delays, women will no longer have to endure intrusive, onerous, and medically unnecessary restrictions to get emergency contraception.” The organization has represented some of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

The New York Times reports that some conservative groups object to the pill, suggesting that it might encourage young people to have unprotected sex.

According to the Associated Press, the morning-after pill has a higher dose of the hormone progestin than regular birth control pills.  Taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, it can reduce the chances of pregnancy by 89 percent.  However, it is most effective when taken with the first 24 hours.

WebMD says the pill works by preventing or delaying ovulation or by interfering with the fertilization of an egg. However, the pill does not work for women who are already pregnant.

The ruling is a defeat for the Obama administration.  In 2011, Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, reversed an earlier Food and Drug Administration decision to make the pills available to all women.  The FDA is a division of the Health and Human Services department.  Coming just 11 months before Obama’s election, the decision was criticized as a  political move to win over conservative voters.

Wednesday’s ruling does not apply to the one-pill version of the contraceptive.  The court said the decision on that version can be delayed during the appeal, according to NPR.  One exception applies to Plan B One-Step.  Last month, the FDA ruled that women over the age of 15 be allowed to purchase the pill with proper identification.  The court’s latest decision will not change that ruling.  Previously, women had to be age 17 to purchase the pill.

The case is Tummino v. Hamburg. Did the court make the right decision?  Let us know your opinion in the comments section.