Today, Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky (PPINK) and the American Civil Liberties Union seeks an injunction against the requirement in the Dignity for the Unborn Law that specifies women receive an ultrasound at least 18 hours before an abortion. Obama-appointed federal judge, Tanya Walton Pratt, is hearing arguments this afternoon in Indianapolis.
PPINK filed a lawsuit this summer against the ultrasound requirement. At the time, PPINK admitted it only had ultrasound equipment at four of its then-23 locations around the state. In contrast, there are more than 50 ultrasound machines at pregnancy resource centers around the state providing free services to pregnant women. The ultrasound machines at pregnancy resource centers have been purchased by gifts from thousands of Hoosiers who care deeply about women and their health, and who believe women deserve to be truly informed about their pregnancies.
“The 18-hour ultrasound requirement gives women more information about their health and pregnancy before they have an abortion,” said Mike Fichter, President and CEO of Indiana Right to Life. “Planned Parenthood should support the ideal that women have increased information. What is Planned Parenthood so afraid of?
“Is Planned Parenthood afraid that more abortion-minded women will choose life after seeing an ultrasound of their developing child? Is Planned Parenthood afraid that women will not be able to forget hearing the heartbeat of their child? Is Planned Parenthood afraid that giving women time between seeing their child and having the abortion will cut into their profits? The chilling answer to all these questions is ‘yes.’ Planned Parenthood cares more about itself than women.”
