Proposed South Bend Abortion Clinic Appeals Hearing Set For Wednesday

A three-person panel will likely decide Wednesday if a South Bend abortion clinic should be given a license by the state.

Whole Woman’s Health Alliance applied more than a year ago to open an abortion clinic in South Bend. The state denied that application; it argued the Alliance didn’t disclose necessary information about its other clinics. And it said Whole Woman’s Health wasn’t of “reputable and responsible character.”

The Alliance appealed that decision. And an administrative judge at the state health department sided with the Alliance, overturning the state’s denial of the license.

Now, a three-person panel will hear the state’s appeal. An Indiana State Department of Health spokesperson says the administrative panel typically delivers its ruling at the hearing, though it could opt to wait.

The state or the Alliance could continue the dispute in court, following the panel’s decision.