A bill introduced in the Indiana Senate aims to further restrict abortion access by banning abortion-inducing drugs and requiring women seeking abortion due to rape or incest to file an affidavit, The Indiana Capital Chronicle reported Jan. 8.
The bill, filed by Sen. Mike Young, would make it a misdemeanor to prescribe or possess abortion medication in the state, even for legal exceptions.
Mr. Young argued that medication abortions are dangerous, but the bill has faced strong opposition from healthcare professionals and advocates, according to the Chronicle.
Dr. Caitlin Bernard, MD, an Indianapolis OB-GYN, told the news outlet the bill is a harmful intrusion into healthcare that could jeopardize women's lives. Planned Parenthood also criticized the measure, claiming it criminalizes medical care.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee for further review.