WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:16 — 1.5MB)
The Indiana State Department of Health denied a license to an abortion clinic, yesterday.
The Texas based non-profit, Whole Women’s Health Alliance, attempted to open the first abortion clinic in South Bend in over a decade.
The Health Department three member panel denied the license stating that the non-profit failed to meet the requirements of “reputable and responsible character”.
In the 2 to 1 vote, the panel also cited that the non-profit did not disclose necessary information on its application.
The panel is comprised of one administrative law judge and two Republican appointees from Governor Eric Holcomb and former Indiana Governor, Vice President Mike Pence. The panel denied to comment on their reasoning or how each member voted.
It is unsure whether the decision will be appealed, with anti-abortion activists in the South Bend area declaring the ruling a victory. Activists within the non-profit say disagree with the panel’s decision and that they will continue fighting the ruling.
Indianapolis administrative law judge Clare Deitchman issued an order that the license should be granted, back in September. The non-profit now has 30 days to file an appeal.
Indiana is one of the most highly regulated states when it comes to abortion. In recent years, Indiana’s abortion rates have plummeted as many abortion facilities have been shut down.
Pro choice activists say that the Indiana licensing process violates rights guaranteed under the landmark U.S. Supreme Court Case, Roe vs. Wade.
In 2016, the Indiana General Assembly passed one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country- House Enrolled Act 13 37.
That law, which prohibited women from seeking an abortion if the fetus had a disability or because of the race, was struck down by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals last August.
House Enrolled Act 1337 also required abortion providers to dispose of an aborted fetus by cremating or burying the remains.
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill issued a statement after Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court, asking the Supreme court to take up the case
