Idaho judge ruling allows abortion if it protects mother’s health, prevents self-harm

A federal judge in Idaho ruled that the U.S. Constitution protects a narrow right to abortion when a pregnancy threatens a woman's life or health, including mental health risks like suicidality. Judge B. Lynn Winmill's 81-page decision blocks the state attorney general and Ada County prosecutor from enforcing criminal bans against health-preserving abortions, siding largely with Boise physician Dr. Stacy Seyb, who sued over the law.

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador called the ruling judicial overreach and said he will appeal immediately, while the Idaho Family Policy Center noted its civil enforcement law, which lets family members sue abortion providers for at least $20,000, remains untouched. Winmill acknowledged the state may still ban abortions for fatal fetal diagnoses that don't threaten the mother's health, calling such outcomes potentially "cruel" but not unconstitutional.

A ballot initiative to overturn Idaho's abortion ban entirely will go before voters in November.

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