abortion access

WVPE's Jeff Parrott speaks with retired physician Dr. Cynthia Heckman-Davis about the abortion pill

Indiana's near-total ban on abortion hasn't officially gone into effect yet, but it's already had a chilling effect on patients there, according to Planned Parenthood of Michigan.

Indiana lawmakers passed a near-total abortion ban on Aug. 5, 2022, which Gov. Eric Holcomb signed into law quickly after. Two lawsuits temporarily halted the ban shortly after it took effect, until the Indiana Supreme Court ruled the ban did not violate the state’s constitution.

Attorneys for abortion care providers and the state will argue the constitutionality of Indiana’s near-total abortion ban before the state’s highest court this week.

As states take steps to tighten abortion laws, conversations have been reignited about how to best support families and babies. Many policy experts point to a permanent Child Tax Credit, made available to low- and no-income families, as one way to do that.

Michigan has been an abortion rights battleground since June, when the US Supreme Court issued the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe versus Wade. Proposal 3 on the November ballot is an attempt to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.

Indiana Democrats are launching their closing argument for the 2022 election – a focus on women’s rights. The party Monday launched its “Contract With Women” tour.

In a Facebook post, Whole Woman’s Health of South Bend says it is currently taking appointments for October and November and will be expanding its schedule in the near future.

Abortion will remain legal in Indiana through at least the end of the year.

If adopted, it would supersede a 1931 state law that would ban most abortions and punish abortion providers. But if the proposal passes, it would not settle every question regarding abortion rights in Michigan.