In November 2022, Jillaine St. Michel, 20 weeks pregnant with her second child, received devastating news: her baby had severe developmental and genetic issues with a low chance of survival.
After much thought, she and her husband decided that an abortion would be the most compassionate choice. However, they faced a significant hurdle as Idaho’s strict abortion ban limited their options.
Ultimately, they secured an appointment at a clinic in Seattle, Washington, after dealing with the logistical and financial burdens of traveling out of state for care. Reflecting on the experience, St. Michel said, In one of the worst situations you can imagine, having to put on your logistics hat… was really sad.
Now, St. Michel is among seven plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging Idaho’s restrictive abortion law, seeking clarity and expansion on what qualifies as a medical emergency.
Filed in September 2023 by the Center for Reproductive Rights, the lawsuit argues that Idaho’s law, which includes limited exceptions for rape, incest, and life-threatening situations, is so vague that it leaves medical providers unsure about when they can legally perform abortions.
Jennifer Adkins, the lead plaintiff, faced a similar crisis when doctors found that her baby was unlikely to survive due to a rare condition and that she faced serious health risks if she continued her pregnancy.
Unable to obtain an abortion in Idaho, Adkins had to travel to Portland, Oregon, with financial help from abortion funds. I knew… the longer I stayed pregnant, the more sick I could become, Adkins said. Both she and St. Michel joined the lawsuit to prevent others from enduring similar suffering.