A federal judge on Wednesday granted the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to block Idaho from enforcing its abortion ban in emergency situations.
The Idaho law makes it a felony for physicians to provide an abortion, unless the pregnancy puts the pregnant person’s life at risk or was a result of incest or rape.
But under the federal emergency treatment law, “emergency medical conditions” include not just life-threatening conditions, but also conditions that seriously jeopardize a patient’s health.
The Idaho Statesman reports that Per U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill’s order, the state may not prosecute a medical provider for conducting an abortion that is necessary to avoid:
Placing the health of a pregnant patient in serious jeopardy;
A serious impairment to bodily functions of the pregnant patient;
or A serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.
Winmill’s order enjoining enforcement against emergency medical providers will stand until a judgment is made.
