Idaho Judge Rules Federal Lawsuit Seeking to Establish Constitutional Right to Medically Indicated Abortion Care Can Move to Trial

02.10.26 (PRESS RELEASE)—Today, a federal district court ruled that a lawsuit filed by an Idaho maternal-fetal medicine specialist against the officials charged with enforcing Idaho’s abortion bans could proceed to trial. The lawsuit argues that abortion remains a constitutional right when provided for medical reasons.  Today’s ruling held that: “[T]he record before the Court provides significant evidence that such a right is deeply rooted in our nation’s history, bound up with traditional and fundamental principles such as self-defense and necessity.”

Through multiple, overlapping statutes, Idaho currently criminalizes all abortion care except in some – but not all – cases where abortion is necessary to save a pregnant person’s life and some—but not all—cases where a pregnant person survived a sexual assault.  It prohibits abortion in a wide variety of circumstances where a patient’s health is in serious jeopardy, or the pregnancy is not likely to result in a live birth, including when a patient needs cancer treatment, a miscarriage is inevitable, or a patient has developed a hypertensive disorder that could result in organ damage, organ failure, or death.

Additionally, Idaho’s ban does not permit abortion when a pregnant patient is battling a serious mental health condition that puts them at risk of death from self-harm.  Suicide and overdose are among the leading causes of death for pregnant and post-partum people in the United States.  The state reported that from 2018–2021, while Idaho still had an active maternal mortality review committee, the most common underlying cause of maternal death was mental health conditions.

“Medically indicated abortions remain constitutionally protected, notwithstanding the fall of Roe, because the right to protect one’s health and life is fundamental,” said Stephanie Toti, Executive Director of the Lawyering Project.  “It is unconscionable that Idaho politicians are trying to deny pregnant Idaho residents access to treatment for serious medical conditions.” 

Idaho’s abortion bans have destabilized the state’s entire reproductive health care system.  More than half the state’s maternal-fetal medicine specialists have left Idaho since Roe fell, and a recent study found that Idaho has lost over a third of its OBGYNs since the State’s abortion bans took effect. One maternal-fetal medicine specialist recounted her decision to leave Idaho in a recent brief to the Supreme Court.

“Today’s ruling ensures that Idaho will have to answer for its inhumane abortion bans in court,” said Kelly O’Neill, Legal Voice Idaho Litigation Attorney. “No one should be forced to endure devastating injuries—like losing an ovary or kidney—because they can’t get an abortion.”

This legal challenge was filed by the Lawyering Project and Legal Voice on behalf of Dr. Stacy Seyb.  The Lawyering Project and Legal Voice also represent plaintiffs challenging an Idaho law criminalizing the provision of vital forms of assistance to young people seeking abortion care.

###