Indiana Right to Life anticipates a significant drop in abortions in the new year as a result of Indiana’s 18-hour ultrasound law going back in effect on January 1. The action is the result of Indiana’s largest abortion business, Planned Parenthood, dropping its suit against the law in August 2020.
The ultrasound law, part of the 2016 Dignity for the Unborn Act signed by then-Gov. Mike Pence, requires that women considering abortion be provided the opportunity to view a fetal ultrasound at least 18 hours prior to an abortion.
From July through December 2016, while the ultrasound law was previously in effect, there were 496 fewer abortions in Indiana compared to the period of July through December 2017, after the ultrasound provision was blocked by a federal judge. During the 2017 period, abortions spiked by 13 percent.
“Indiana’s ultrasound law will save lives,” states Indiana Right to Life President and CEO Mike Fichter. “Every woman deserves the opportunity to see an ultrasound image of her unborn baby in order to have ample opportunity to reconsider an abortion decision.”
Fichter believes the timing is right for the Indiana legislature to take additional action to ensure abortion businesses are following the intent and the letter of the ultrasound law.
“Every woman should be provided with a photo of her baby’s ultrasound that she can take with her,” says Fichter. “In addition, a copy of her baby’s ultrasound photo should be attached to her patient files to assist state health and safety inspectors in verifying the law is being met. Currently, neither of these actions are required by law. These are loopholes the Indiana legislature can easily close.”
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