An Indiana doctor has been disciplined for speaking publicly after providing an abortion for a 10-year-old Ohio rape victim who traveled to Indiana for the medical procedure.
A majority of Indiana’s Medical Licensing Board ruled that Dr. Caitlin Bernard violated privacy laws by speaking about the abortion, and they voted to fine her $3,000 in addition to the reprimand.
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Bernard appeared in front of the board on Thursday after being accused by Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita of violating Indiana law in not reporting the rape to authorities and violating federal patient privacy laws when she told the Indianapolis Star about the case just days after the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The story was cited by pro-abortion activists as a consequence of the Roe overturn, as Ohio’s heartbeat bill, banning abortion at about six weeks, went into effect. Bernard has denied claims that she broke Indiana reporting laws and maintains that she did not release any information that could identify the girl.
On Thursday, she maintained that position.
“I think that it’s incredibly important for people to understand the real-world impacts of the laws of this country, about abortion or otherwise,” Bernard said during the daylong hearing in Indianapolis, per NPR. “I think it’s important for people to know what patients will have to go through because of legislation that is being passed.”
Bernard’s attorney argued that her client did not break the law because she was allowed to speak to the media and did not share any protected health information of the patient.
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A review last year by Indiana University Health, Bernard’s employer, found that she had complied with patient privacy laws.
The Indiana medical board is made up of six doctors and one attorney, all of whom are appointed by the governor. According to the Indianapolis Star, some of the members of the board have made political contributions to Rokita.
