Despite pause, Indiana's abortion ban curbs access
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The number of abortions performed in Indiana dropped in the year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in a landmark case known as Dobbs.
Why it matters: The decision paved the way for state lawmakers to pass a near-total ban on abortions less than two months later.
Driving the news: Saturday marks one year since Roe was overturned, which initially caused an increase in abortions performed in Indiana.
- Procedures sharply decreased as the state ban took effect in September.
Yes, but: The ban was in effect for only a week before a judge issued an injunction blocking the law and allowing, once again, for abortions up to 20 weeks.
Reality check: Abortions are a necessary component of comprehensive reproductive health care.
- States where the procedure has been banned or restricted have seen increases in life-threatening complications.
- Even with the ban on hold, the uncertainty has curbed access to the medical procedure — clinics have struggled with staffing and at least one clinic has closed.
The big picture: Nationally, abortion rates have declined since the Dobbs decision.
- A report released last week by #WeCount, a national abortion reporting effort, found that in the nine months since Dobbs, nearly 66,000 fewer abortions occurred in states that banned abortion, a drop not offset by increases in states that permitted abortion.
What we're watching: Indiana's abortion ban is being challenged in two pending court cases.
- In January, the Indiana Supreme Court heard a case based on privacy rights. A ruling is expected any day.
- A Marion County case is based on religious freedom, but it's on hold while an appeal dealing with its class action status plays out.