Idaho abortion ban unconstitutional for health exceptions, US judge rules

A U.S. judge has declared Idaho's near-total abortion ban unconstitutional, asserting that it violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The judge's ruling specifically addresses the lack of sufficient exceptions for abortions sought due to broader health risks, extending beyond only life-saving measures. Consequently, the enforcement of Idaho laws that prohibit abortion care for serious medical conditions, including those that pose risks to mental health, is now blocked.

In a separate development, a U.S. federal appeals court has reinstated a Justice Department subpoena directed at QueerDoc, a provider of gender-affirming care for minors. This appellate court ruling overturns a previous decision by a lower court, which had initially blocked the subpoena. The lower court had found that the subpoena was issued in bad faith. The appeals court's decision allows the Justice Department to proceed with obtaining the requested records from QueerDoc.