Indiana abortion group seeks report release from court

An anti-abortion group, Voices for Life, has requested that the Indiana Supreme Court intervene in a legal dispute concerning records related to terminated pregnancies. The case centers on whether these records, known as terminated pregnancy reports, can be released to the public.

Indiana currently operates under a near-total abortion ban, a ruling made by the state Supreme Court in 2023. State law mandates that doctors submit terminated pregnancy reports to the Indiana Department of Health for each abortion performed. These reports contain anonymized patient information, excluding names.

Background of the Dispute

The legal challenge began when Voices for Life requested the terminated pregnancy reports under Indiana’s public records law. Initially, the state indicated it would release the reports, prompting two Indiana OB-GYNs to file a lawsuit. The physicians argued that even redacted reports could potentially identify patients or providers, posing a risk to their safety.

Court Decisions

In early 2025, a Marion County judge issued a temporary restraining order, preventing the Indiana Department of Health from releasing the reports. The trial court subsequently ruled against the release of the records, a decision upheld by the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Voices for Life’s Petition

Voices for Life has now petitioned the Indiana Supreme Court to review the case and overturn the lower court rulings. The group argues that these reports are essential for identifying trends affecting maternal health, enforcing legal requirements, and informing policy decisions. They also assert that public transparency is crucial for the safety of women and their children and allows for citizen engagement.

Legal Process and Responses

Under Indiana Supreme Court rules, opposing parties have 20 days to respond to the petition, followed by a 10-day period for Voices for Life to file a reply. The court stated that there is no set timeline for the Supreme Court to decide whether to take up the case, and all matters are considered in due course. Attorneys representing the doctors have maintained that releasing the records would cause irreparable harm.

Statements from Involved Parties

The Lawyering Project, representing health care providers, criticized the situation, stating that anti-abortion politicians are attempting to violate the rights of pregnant individuals by exposing their personal health information. Katherine Jack, representing the physicians, previously emphasized the irreversible nature of releasing the records.