Opinion: Sen. Mike Braun is wrong. Indiana's abortion ban isn't working for Hoosiers

As a lifelong Hoosier, born and raised in Beech Grove and now living in the Garfield Park neighborhood of Indianapolis, I feel compelled to speak out as the state director for Planned Parenthood Indiana. The claims that abortion isn't a leading issue in our state is one that I cannot ignore. Such assertions dismiss the realities that Hoosiers face daily and undermine the fundamental rights and freedoms at stake in the upcoming elections. Sen. Mike Braun’s tone-deaf remark during last Wednesday’s debate — “Indiana’s abortion ban is working for Hoosiers” — proves just how out of touch he is.

Indiana was the first state to call a special legislative session to enact a near-total abortion ban. This aggressive move didn't just limit access to reproductive health care; it sent a message that personal freedoms could be stripped away without regard for the majority's will. The impact of this ban goes far beyond reproductive health. It affects our economy , our health care system and the very fabric of our communities.

Abortion bans bring tragic outcomes

The closure of hospitals and the fear among medical professionals aren’t just health issues they’re also economic ones. Hoosiers are living with the consequences every day, and they're dying. Twenty-six-year-old Taysha Wilkinson-Sobieski of DeKalb County died due to delays in treatment after her local hospital's labor unit closed due to financial pressures, exasperated by a hostile political environment that criminalizes providers. Her story is just one of many tragic outcomes of this ban. The delay in care led to her death from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Indiana now has 37 counties without inpatient delivery services. This is unacceptable.

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A Muncie woman's recent heartbreaking experience also challenges Sen. Braun’s notion that Indiana’s abortion ban “is working for Hoosiers.” Her story reveals the challenges in accessing timely miscarriage care due to Indiana’s restrictive laws. Despite FDA approval for miscarriage management, medications like mifepristone are heavily restricted, causing fear among providers. Patients should not face legal obstacles to receiving standard medical care.

While Sen. Braun may currently lead in name recognition in the polls, familiarity doesn't equate to alignment with Hoosier values. Braun has sponsored over 100 pieces of anti-abortion legislation and opposes access even in cases of rape or incest. His policies threaten to take us backward, undermining reproductive rights and access to health care services that many rely on. We should ban Braun, not abortion.

In response to these extreme policies, Planned Parenthood has endorsed its largest-ever pool of reproductive health champions across Indiana. Leaders like Jennifer McCormick, Destiny Wells, and others understand that this election isn't just about politics; it's about choosing between two vastly different futures for Indiana — one where Hoosiers have control over their bodies and futures and one where extremists continue to undermine our rights.

Hoosiers need to know who is fighting for their health and well-being. Destiny Wells, running for attorney general, wants to restore integrity to the office by prioritizing policy that’s backed by science over partisan ideological misinformation . In contrast, current Attorney General Todd Rokita has been one of the most aggressive anti-abortion figures in the country, using his position to intimidate providers and threaten patient privacy .

Health care workers operating in climate of fear

Rokita's actions have real-world consequences. Health care professionals are now operating in a climate of fear, concerned that fulfilling their oath to care could subject them to political attacks. Hospitals are turning away patients, and medical school residents are choosing to practice elsewhere. Indiana already faces a projected shortage of physicians and nurses , a crisis exacerbated by policies that drive away medical talent. The negative impact abortion bans have on our health care system is undeniable.

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The attacks don't stop at abortion. Legislators are also targeting access to birth control and in-vitro fertilization (IVF). In 2024 alone, eight states attempted to limit birth control access. In Indiana , a new law offering long-acting contraceptives to Medicaid recipients was amended to exclude intrauterine devices (IUDs), the most common and effective method, due to false claims that they cause abortions. IUDs prevent pregnancy; they don’t end them.

Hoosiers consistently support abortion rights. 70% of voters are less likely to support incumbents who voted for the 2022 abortion ban. Ninety-four percent oppose restricting access to birth control, and 92% oppose making IVF illegal. Most believe politicians should not interfere in personal medical decisions, period.

Opposing extreme anti-abortion policies isn't just a women's issue; it's a Hoosier issue. The upcoming elections are a crucial opportunity for us to shape our future. This November, let's vote for a future where our rights are restored, our health care system is strengthened, and our voices are heard. When we decide, we win.

Haley Bougher is the Indiana State Director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Opinion: Sen. Mike Braun is wrong. Indiana's abortion ban isn't working for Hoosiers