Judge blocks parts of Idaho abortion ban over health exceptions

U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill found that Idaho's near-total abortion ban is unconstitutional to the extent it forbids abortions needed to protect a pregnant woman's health, including for serious mental health risks that raise suicide danger. In an 81-page ruling he blocked enforcement of two laws insofar as they prohibit doctors from providing care for serious medical conditions, while leaving a ban for fetal life-limiting conditions intact unless the mother's health is seriously threatened. The ruling is the first federal recognition since 2022 of a constitutional right to health-preserving abortion in certain circumstances and will face appeal by the state.

Federal judge blocked enforcement for health-related abortion cases