Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

More Indiana abortion restrictions likely to be reinstated

More Indiana abortion restrictions are likely to be reinstated soon after an appeals court sent a major lawsuit back to a federal judge to be re-examined.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision overturning abortion rights is prompting many cases to be reconsidered.

Whole Woman’s Health Alliance filed a lawsuit in 2018 that challenged almost all of Indiana’s abortion restrictions. Many of those restrictions were upheld. But last year, a federal judge struck down several Indiana laws. That includes a provision that says only doctors can provide medication abortions, one that limits second trimester abortions to hospitals or advanced surgical centers, and a ban on telemedicine for abortion.

That ruling got appealed to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. And in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent abortion decision, the Seventh Circuit is sending the Indiana case back to the district court to be reconsidered.

The original judge’s ruling relied heavily on Supreme Court precedents that have now been overturned, meaning those Indiana laws are likely to be reinstated.

Contact reporter Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5. Copyright 2022 IPB News. To see more, visit IPB News.

Brandon Smith has covered the Statehouse for Indiana Public Broadcasting for more than a decade, spanning three governors and a dozen legislative sessions. He's also the host of Indiana Week in Review, a weekly political and policy discussion program seen and heard across the state.
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.