Abortion law remains on hold

Just days after the Supreme Court denied a hearing regarding Indiana's abortion law, a challenge was brought to the Indiana Supreme Court, briefly blocking the law's implementation.\nMarion County Supreme Court Judge David J. Dreyer granted a request made by abortion providers for a temporary restraining order. Under the law, women who choose to have an abortion are required to receive in-person counseling, giving them information about abortion and its alternatives.\nIn 1995, Indiana passed a law mandating that women must receive counseling concerning abortion procedures and alternatives at least 18 hours before the procedure at the chosen clinic. U.S. District Judge David Hamilton issued an injunction in March 2001 preventing the state from implementing the law's counseling provision. The case was then taken to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals where two of three judges on the panel declared the law constitutional. \nThe Indiana Civil Liberties Union filed a challenge to the law soon after saying the law placed "undue burdens" upon women who wish to have the procedure. The Supreme Court denied hearing the challenge Feb. 24.\nOriginally scheduled for March 11, the hearing for the lawsuit has been pushed back until April 30.\nSince the Supreme Court's decision last Monday, Theresa Browning, spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of Greater Indiana, said the clinic has heard numerous complaints from women regarding the second state mandated visit for in-person counseling. But she said she is relieved at the hearing date's extension.\n"When we found out we were continued to provide the info by phone, we were glad we were able to tell our clients we could do that more for another week," Browning said. "It's just unfortunate that the courts aren't seeing and understanding this impact that it's having on women."\nCampus for Choice, a student pro-choice organization, agreed with Browning.\n"We feel the law is one step closer to making it one step harder to get an abortion," Lindsay Prater, Campus for Choice secretary, said. "The state is really limiting women's choices by creating a law like the one we have."\nOne organization supporting the original law is the Bloomington Crisis Pregnancy Center, a pro-life women's service center. Tina Tuley-Lampke, the BCPC's executive director, said the organization does not understand why the law's rivals would want to deny women information.\n"The primary issue is that this is a law that would enable women to seek quality medical information, and personally, I'm confused why those who claim to be women's rights advocates are fighting against a law that protects women," Tuley-Lampke said. "I can't think of any other procedure that should require a face-to-face consultation with a medical provider. Women deserve to be able to make an educated choice on something so serious that affects their health."\nAnother affect of requiring women to have face-to-face counseling is the cost. According to the law, women must receive counseling from a physician, physician's assistant or advanced practice nurse. For Planned Parenthood, this meant more medical staff dedicating more time to comply with the law. The Indiana clinics raised prices $50, making surgical procedures $400 and medical abortions $500.\nTo help defray costs, Planned Parenthood has an abortion fund from donations that is used for women who cannot afford abortions. With the cost increases, Browning said she expects more women will need help paying for the procedure, which will deplete the fund reserves faster. The organization receives 25 percent of its income from government funding, which is directed towards providing birth control and family services.\nJunior Erin O'Dea said she thought the state shouldn't be interfering with a woman's decision to have an abortion.\n"I don't think the law has any right to regulate what a woman has to do to get an abortion," O'Dea said. "So much goes into having an abortion that it seems stupid to make a woman set up an extra appointment. To deny a woman an abortion because she did not fulfill counseling requirements is ridiculous"