Abortion Now Banned at Six Weeks in Idaho

BOISE, ID — Today, the Idaho Supreme Court denied a request to block the state’s total trigger ban and lifted the existing stay on the six-week abortion ban’s civil enforcement mechanism, immediately banning abortion at six weeks, and banning all abortions as of August 25. The ruling was issued nine days after the court heard oral argument in cases brought by Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai‘i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky and Dr. Caitlin Gustafson. 

By lifting the stay on the six-week ban and refusing to stay the total ban, the court directly permitted the legislature to make health care decisions for patients all across the state. This will both force health care professionals to deny Idahoans vital, time-sensitive care, and punish the state’s abortion care providers found in violation of the cruel law.

“It’s been a little over a month since the U.S. Supreme Court disregarded 50 years of precedent and threw patients across the country into a world of chaos, fear, and confusion,” said Rebecca Gibron, CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai‘i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, “The Idaho state legislature has made it abundantly clear that this is the future they want for their constituents, and today, the court allowed their vision to become a reality. But this fight is not over. These cases and our fight to ensure that every Idahoan has access to legal, safe abortion care will continue.”

“Tonight, the people of Idaho saw their bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom taken away,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “The court’s decision today is horrific and cruel. But this isn’t the end of the fight, and it isn't our last day in court. No one should see their lives used as pawns by their elected officials or judicial system. Idahoans need and deserve more, and we will continue to fight until this wrong is made right.”