Idaho Judge Considers Injunction in Abortion Referral Case

A federal judge in Idaho is considering issuing an injunction to prevent the state's strict abortion ban from being used to prosecute doctors who refer patients to other states for abortions. The request was made by two Idaho doctors and several Planned Parenthood organizations who argued that their First Amendment rights were in danger due to a letter issued by Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador last month. The letter indicated that out-of-state referrals would violate the law. Labrador has since withdrawn the letter, but the judge is concerned that it may still intimidate physicians.