An Indianapolis doctor has filed a lawsuit against the Indiana Department of Health and the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana over legal issues concerning the state’s abortion reporting requirements.
The lawsuit, brought by Dr. Christina Scifres, claims Indiana’s Terminated Pregnancy Report law is unenforceable because it is preempted by federal law established by HIPAA and the Reproductive Health Care Privacy Rule.
The lawsuit claims reporting certain patient information required by Indiana’s current law would violate federal law.
The suit also states that since state and federal law contradict each other, it creates a legal conflict that results in a doctor losing their medical license. That doctor could even face criminal liability.
Attorneys for Dr. Scifres told WFIU/WTIU News it is their policy to not comment on pending litigation.
Dr. Scifres is a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the IU School of Medicine. She also works for Riley Children’s Health with a specialty in Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as Maternal and Fetal Medicine.