Indiana Pushes Medically Unnecessary Abortion Restrictions to the US Supreme Court
Contact:
[email protected]
(317) 637-4324
For Immediate Release: Feb. 5, 2019 (Updated: Feb. 5, 2019, 3:37 a.m.)
INDIANAPOLIS – The state of Indiana today requested United States Supreme Court review of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruling affirming a lower court order blocking the ultrasound waiting period provisions in House Enrolled Act 1337. This is the second time since Justice Kavanaugh joined the U.S. Supreme Court that Indiana has asked the Court to overturn injunctions against provisions of HEA 1337. The provisions at issue in today’s petition would require women to obtain an ultrasound 18 hours before obtaining an abortion.
The law was challenged by the ACLU of Indiana, along with the national ACLU and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, on behalf of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky (PPINK). The lower courts ruled that the burdens the law would impose cannot be justified by any medical purpose, likely in violation of women’s constitutional rights.
Christine Charbonneau, CEO of PPINK:
“This law only stands to harm Hoosiers. Politicians weaponized basic health care with one motive in mind -- to end abortion access. If the state of Indiana wants to address health care disparities like the infant mortality rates, it should get to work finding solutions that improve access to health care. This law does the opposite -- it chips away at a patient’s ability to access critical health care when they need it. Planned Parenthood will stand with its partners and continue to fight this medically unnecessary law.”
Jane Henegar, executive director of ACLU of Indiana:
“The state of Indiana’s attempt to take yet another abortion case all the way to the Supreme Court, is part of the continued assault on women’s constitutional rights. This law would have a grave impact, especially on low-income women who may not have their own vehicles and must make arrangements for transportation, childcare and job schedules. We will remain vigilant in our defense of every woman’s right to make her own medical decisions.”
Ken Falk, legal director with the ACLU of Indiana:
“There is no reason for the Court to take this case because the Seventh Circuit got it right. This requirement is unconstitutional as it creates a substantial obstacle to a woman seeking to obtain an abortion. There is no medical justification for the requirement that an ultrasound be obtained at least 18 hours before the abortion. This is no more than an attempt to move reproductive services out of reach.”