Not so long ago, Bonner General Health, the hospital in Sandpoint, Idaho, had four OB/GYNs on staff, who treated patients from multiple rural counties. That was before Idaho’s near-total abortion ban went into effect almost two years ago, criminalizing most abortions. All four of Bonner’s OB/GYNs left by last summer, some citing fears that the state’s ban exposed them to legal peril for doing their jobs.

Read_At:_https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/health-brief-care-gaps-grow-obgyns-flee-idaho/

The loss of maternal health care and Idaho physicians means higher mortality rates and overall poor pregnancy outcomes.

Read_At:_https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/07/03/the-cost-of-criminalizing-maternal-health-care-in-idaho/

Patients in Idaho communities who need gynecological care, stress over discovering an illness is compounded by the challenges they face getting to a doctor.

Read_At:_https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jun/26/idahos-ob-gyn-exodus-throws-women-in-rural-towns-i/

Idaho is at war against women and has been for decades. The war is undeclared but undeniable when viewed through the lenses of justice and healthcare.

Read_more_at:_https://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article289589664.html

Aug 15, 2024 – Idahoans United for Women and Families filed four petitions for review, that would create initiatives with varying degrees of protection for abortion rights based on feedback from doctors and other Idaho residents.

Doctors say political involvement in the exam room, as well as the threat of prison time and losing their license, has made it difficult to give patients the care they need. Idaho hospital systems are sending patients out of state for care when doctors are unsure of legalities.

Read more at: Idaho Statesman – Abortion Initiative