A federal judge ruled last week that Idaho’s prohibition on abortion in cases where a physician deems it necessary to protect a mother’s mental health or to prevent self-harm is unconstitutional.
Judge B Lynn Winmill ruled on August 13 that the state’s “Defense of Life Act” and “Fetal Heartbeat Act” violate the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to all who are born on US soil and also guarantees due process and equal protection under the law.
Idaho has some of the strictest limitations on abortion in the United States. Abortion is not permitted except in cases of rape, incest or when the physical health of the mother is in danger. Doctors who perform illegal abortions face up to five years in prison.
