Federal Judge Rules Idaho Abortion Ban Unconstitutional Over Lack of Health Exceptions

U.S. District Court of Idaho Judge B. Lynn Winmill issued an 81-page ruling, reported as issued on Thursday, finding that Idaho's near-total abortion ban, known as the 'Defense of Life Act,' is unconstitutional because it lacks exceptions for abortions necessary to protect a pregnant woman's health or life, including in cases of potential self-harm or suicide. The ruling blocks Idaho's attorney general and the Ada County prosecutor from enforcing the state's criminal abortion laws in these narrow circumstances. Winmill grounded the decision in the 14th Amendment, finding that a pregnant woman's health is constitutionally protected and not something to be allocated at the legislature's discretion. The ruling addresses a specific gap in Idaho's law: while abortions were previously permitted only to save a mother's life, the decision extends protection to cases where a pregnancy threatens her health, including through self-harm or suicide risk. The ruling does not extend to all circumstances; women who receive a life-limiting fetal diagnosis that does not threaten the mother's own health remain barred from obtaining an abortion under the law as modified by this ruling. Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador confirmed that his office would appeal the decision, expressing confidence that it would be overturned. The case remains unresolved pending appeal, and it is unclear which court will hear the appeal or on what timeline. It is also unresolved how the ruling will be implemented in practice, including how healthcare providers and prosecutors will interpret the health and self-harm exceptions in individual cases. Reports do not specify whether the ruling has taken immediate effect or is stayed pending appeal.