Idaho Urges Supreme Court to Enforce Controversial Abortion Law Penalizing Doctors

Idaho has asked the Supreme Court to allow its state abortion ban, which penalizes doctors who perform abortions, to take full effect despite federal requirements for emergency room doctors. The Defense of Life Act in Idaho is a near total ban on abortion, with an exception to prevent the mother's death. However, a district court blocked the law in hospital emergency rooms that receive Medicare funding, citing interference with the federal Medicare statute. The state is now seeking an emergency hold on the district court ruling while appeals are ongoing.