Idaho’s strict abortion ban faces scrutiny in federal appeals court hearing

Associated Press

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — A federal appeals court is scrutinizing the impact of Idaho’s strict abortion ban on emergency medical care. A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel of judges weighed Tuesday whether the ban criminalizing abortions should be enforceable in life- and health-threatening situations. Idaho’s law makes it a felony to perform an abortion unless the procedure is necessary to prevent the death of the patient. President Joe Biden’s administration sued Idaho two years ago, contending the abortion ban violates a federal rule that requires hospitals to provide stabilizing emergency care. The administration says stabilizing care might include abortions if a pregnant patient is facing serious infections, organ loss or other major medical issues.