When the historic ruling of Roe v. Wade was overturned in the summer of 2022, many people were left wondering how it would affect their local access to abortion. For many states, including Indiana, this issue is still being decided. A recent law restricting abortion in our state is temporarily blocked by the court.
Keep reading to learn what abortion access now looks like in Indiana, and what steps to take next if you’re considering an abortion in Fort Wayne or Columbia City.
What Does It Mean that Roe v. Wade Was Overturned?
In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that abortion was a constitutionally protected right, so that it became legal in all 50 states. However, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the current Supreme Court revisited this case and found the right to an abortion could not actually be found in our Constitution, so Roe was overturned.
When it was overturned, this removed the federal protection of abortion and handed the authority to regulate or protect it to each of the state governments.
Some states had state-level protections in place. For example, Minnesota has abortion included in their state constitution. However, other states had “trigger” bans ready to go into effect that would significantly restriction abortion access in the event that Roe was ever overturned.
What Are the Abortion Laws in Indiana?
In August 2022, the Indiana legislature passed a new law restricting abortion in most cases. Limited exceptions include life endangerment or if there are lethal fetal abnormalities.
Exceptions are also included for rape or incest if the woman is early in her pregnancy.
The law also limits abortion procedures to licensed hospitals or surgical facilities, closing abortion clinics.
However, as of September 22, 2022, the court has temporarily banned this law, allowing abortion access again. It is unclear how long the temporary court order will last.
Before Scheduling an Abortion
If you think abortion may be the best step for you, we recommend that you gather as much information as you can leading up to the procedure.
We provide pregnancy services at no cost, including medical-grade pregnancy testing and ultrasounds. An ultrasound is a great way to determine the viability of the pregnancy, since up to 20% of pregnancies can end in natural miscarriage.
Ultrasounds can also indicate the location of the pregnancy, so you will know whether or not you have an ectopic pregnancy. This is an important safety consideration, as it requires medical attention.
You deserve to make an informed decision, and we are here to support and empower you on this journey. Contact us today for a no-cost appointment!
A Hope Center does not provide or refer for abortions.