Indiana Circuit Court rules against abortion providers seeking to expand exemptions

An Indiana Circuit Court shut down a legal effort by abortion care providers and supporters to expand the abortion ban exemptions in an effort to allow more women to get abortion care for health-related reasons.

Planned Parenthood and other providers sought to clarify and broaden the state's abortion exemption to save the life of the mother. They argued that chronic health conditions and serious mental health problems can put the life of the mother at risk during pregnancy.

The abortion ban has caused some confusion and fear among doctors who are sometimes unsure of when to intervene during a complicated pregnancy or miscarriage to save the life of the mother.

In the ruling published Wednesday, the judge overseeing the case stated the exemption that allows abortion to save the life of the mother already covers many of the medical situations that abortion providers laid out in their argument.

But Judge Kelsey Blake Hanlon acknowledged that doctors are "in the incredibly unenviable position of providing exigent obstetrical care in a politically charged environment and under a new statutory regime that includes potential criminal liability and license revocation.”

In a joint statement, the providers and abortion advocates said the decision hurts the lives of pregnant Hoosiers.

"Already, Hoosiers with serious health complications have been forced to endure unjustifiable suffering due to miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and other pregnancy-related issues or leave the state to access appropriate care. Hoosiers deserve better, and the Indiana Constitution demands better," the statement read.

Binghui Huang can be reached at 317-385-1595 and Bhuang@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Circuit Court rules against abortion providers seeking to expand exemptions