WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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The Indiana State Department of Health recorded a net increase in the number of abortion procedures carried out in the state. ISDH has yet to release their 2017 Induced Terminated Pregnancies Report to the general public. But both Pro-choice and pro-life agencies confirm the report documents an increase in the number of reported abortions performed throughout the state.
Indiana Right to Life noted the increase in abortions as a justification for greater restrictions on abortion. The pro-life organization stated they will back a total abortion ban, to be proposed during next year’s legislative session. The bill is expected to be advanced by Republican Goshen representative Curt Nisly. Nisly’s office did not return a request for comment.
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky Executive Director Christie Gillespie said the rise in abortion rates in the state make it clear that Indiana needs to do a better job in sex education. Gillespie said the rise in abortion rates in the state directly follows a lack of decent sex education, which she blamed on the conservative-dominated state legislature. Gillespie said that, if any bill attempting to outlaw abortion in the state is introduced next legislative session, it would easily be defeated. Gillespie said she’d rather have the legislature tackle Indiana’s maternal mortality rate. Mothers across the state die at twice the national average.
As of this broadcast, it was unclear when the Indiana State Department of Health will release the 2017 Induced Terminated Pregnancies Report to the general public.
