washington u.s. supreme court monday reject north dakota bid revive restrictive republican-backed law strike low court would ban abortions fetal heartbeat detect early six weeks conception court turn away state appeal leave place july 2015 rule 8th u.s. circuit court appeal block 2013 law north dakota law among strict series statutes pass state level impose limit abortion law challenge north dakota abortion clinic red river women clinic fargo separate case high court due hear arguments march challenge abortion providers part restrictive republican-backed texas law contend aim shut clinics perform procedure court first abortion case since 2007. north dakota case appeal court say bind rule u.s. supreme court precedent abortion hold state may prohibit abortions fetus reach viability appeal court say good reason exist high court re-evaluate past abortion decisions light medical scientific advance show concept viability subject change republican backers north dakota law say 40 years medical advancements ignore opponents say ban six weeks would mean abortion would outlaw gestation time many women yet even know pregnant jan. 19 high court refuse hear similar case arkansas seek revive republican-backed law also block low court would ban abortions 12 weeks pregnancy high court legalize abortion 1973 abortion remain contentious issue among americans state particularly govern republicans seek chip away woman right end pregnancy pass laws impose number restrictions viability accord medical experts occur around 23 24 weeks pregnancy lawmakers north dakota arkansas conservative state seek ban abortions early stage cite among things hotly debate medical research suggest fetus feel pain start 20 weeks gestation north dakota case 15-627 stenehjem v. mkb management u.s. supreme court 15-627. u.s. top court decline revive north dakota abortion limit