Indianapolis Abortion Clinic Draws Patients From Three Other States as Indiana Ban Stays on Hold

An Indianapolis clinic that provides abortions says it has been treating patients from Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois since a judge temporarily blocked Indiana's near-total abortion ban last week, according to a representative of the facility.

Under the current situation, abortion is legal in Indiana for anyone up to 20 weeks. Other existing rules remain in force, including a requirement that patients make two separate trips to an abortion care provider.

The pause was welcome news for Women's Med, which performs abortions at its Indianapolis clinic. A representative, who asked WFYI not to use their name because of fears for their personal safety, said the clinic intends to keep offering the procedure for as long as it is legal and the clinic is able to do so. "It's up to the courts now," the representative said.

The clinic saw a rise in demand for services before the state's ban was set to take effect. Requests have been climbing gradually once more as word spreads about the judge's decision to put the ban on hold.

The representative said the rapid changes in state policies have left many women unsure of where they stand. "I think women are very confused by the on again off again situation, where states are opening and then closing and then opening again," they said. "It's very hard to keep track."

Women's Med has recently seen patients traveling from Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois. Abortion remains legal in Illinois, but long wait times at clinics there have led some residents to cross the state line into Indiana for care.

The legal challenge that produced the block was brought by the ACLU of Indiana. It was filed on behalf of several abortion care providers: Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai'i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky; Whole Woman's Health Alliance; Women's Med Group Professional Corporation; and All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center.

The judge who paused the ban said the law likely violates the Indiana constitution. The state has since filed an appeal, leaving the ban's future uncertain.

The Women's Med representative said the litigation could take a long time to resolve. "This can be a very long and arduous process working through the legal part of the suit," they said. "We're just prepared for anything at this point."