August 30, 2023

Dr. Caitlin Bernard's case with licensing board finished, both sides decline appeals

Listen at IPB News

Article origination IPB News
Dr. Caitlin Bernard was reprimanded by the Indiana Medical Licensing Board but allowed to continue practicing without any restrictions.  - Brandon Smith/IPB News

Dr. Caitlin Bernard was reprimanded by the Indiana Medical Licensing Board but allowed to continue practicing without any restrictions.

Brandon Smith/IPB News

Dr. Caitlin Bernard’s case before the Indiana Medical Licensing Board is officially over after both sides opted not to appeal the board’s decision.

The board voted in May to reprimand Bernard but did not prevent her from practicing.

Bernard provided abortion care to a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio last year and then discussed that case with the Indianapolis Star. Targeted by Attorney General Todd Rokita, Bernard was eventually reprimanded by the state medical licensing board for what it said was a patient privacy violation — though national experts disagree on whether the physician broke any privacy rules.

Rokita declared victory after the board’s decision, though the panel rejected the most serious charges the attorney general leveled against Bernard, with the board president calling her a “good doctor.”

Both sides opted not to appeal the licensing board’s ruling. In a statement, Bernard said her time is better spent focusing on providing care. She also warned against using the outcome of her case as precedent for politicians to attack doctors who provide care they personally disagree with.

Brandon is our Statehouse bureau chief. Contact him at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Copyright 2023 IPB News. To see more, visit IPB News.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

Curbs can be a physical and social barrier for wheelchair users. One program teaches kids to roll past them
Families raise concerns on attendant care issue, present recommendations to governor
How do you help patients who show up in the ER 100 times a year?