Indiana Supreme Court Continues to Block Abortion Ban

Abortion remains legal in Indiana after ban took effect for one week in September

10.13.22 – (PRESS RELEASE) Yesterday, the Indiana Supreme Court refused Indiana’s request to allow the state’s abortion ban to take effect while litigation challenging the ban continues, thereby ensuring abortion remains legally available in the state for now.  The ban initially took effect on September 15, but was blocked a week later by a state circuit court.

The Indiana Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case on January 12, 2023.

Said Pepis Rodriguez, Litigation Counsel at the Lawyering Project:

“Everyone deserves access to compassionate and dignified abortion care.  We applaud yesterday’s ruling, and we call on the Indiana Supreme Court to permanently block this ban after oral argument.  Until then, we will continue to stand with our partners in the face of these attacks on their families, their communities, and their lives.”     

Said Women’s Med, a plaintiff in the legal challenge:

“This decision is a major step in the right direction for the women of Indiana.  The public outcry over the virtual banning of abortions in Indiana is sending a clear message to politicians.  “Stop trying to take away our freedom.  Stop trying to control women and dictate medical care.  Stop trying to practice medicine.””

Said Amy Hagstrom Miller, President and CEO of Whole Woman’s Health, a plaintiff in the legal challenge:

“Whole Woman’s Health of South Bend celebrates this victory at the Indiana Supreme Court.  This decision will bring at least temporary relief to people across the state of Indiana and the region who need abortion care and had been left by the state’s anti-abortion lawmakers with nowhere to turn. We must make it permanent.

“Our South Bend clinic is open.  Our team is proud to resume this essential healthcare for people throughout Indiana and for those across the Midwest where abortion has been banned or restricted since Roe fell in late June. Whole Woman’s Health of South Bend can add this to a long string of victories we’ve had in the courts preserving the access to essential abortion care services that all people in Indiana deserve.”

The challenge to Indiana’s ban was filed in August 2022 by the Lawyering Project, the ACLU of Indiana, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and WilmerHale on behalf of  Whole Woman’s Health Alliance, All-Options, Inc, Women’s Med Group Professional Corporation,  Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai‘i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky and Dr. Amy Caldwell.

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