- After passage by the Indiana General Assembly, the state’s near-total abortion ban was signed late Friday by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
- The law bans abortion except in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies and when the life of the pregnant person is at danger.
- Republicans attempted to remove the exceptions, but failed. The law goes into effect Sept. 15.
Indiana has approved a near-total ban on abortion that will take effect Sept. 15, making the state the first in the nation to pass sweeping abortion restrictions since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced late Friday he had signed the measure, known as Senate Bill 1, within an hour of its passage, capping a marathon day that saw both chambers pass the bill outlawing abortion except for several narrow exceptions.
“Following the overturning of Roe, I stated clearly that I would be willing to support legislation that made progress in protecting life,” Holcomb said. “In my view, (the bill) accomplishes this goal following its passage in both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly with a solid majority of support.”
Prior to the law, Indiana abortion providers reported treating patients coming from other states with existing abortion bans. That made international news when a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio received abortion care in Indiana.
Indianapolis OBG/YN Dr. Caitlin Bernard shared the girl’s story and spoke out strongly against the bill as it made its way through the General Assembly earlier this week.
“I am deeply disturbed by the bill being considered by the Indiana legislature,” Bernard said on Twitter. “I’ve practiced medicine for 12 years and follow a code of ethics, so I know medicine is not about exceptions. Every person deserves to have equal access to the best medical care.”
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