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Arkansas abortion ban prompts lawsuit from women denied care
Summary
Amplify Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of four Arkansas women who say they were denied abortions under the state's near-total ban, alleging the laws are vague, dangerous and violate the state constitution; the governor's office says it will defend the state's laws in court.
Content
Four Arkansas women have sued the state, saying they were denied abortions under the state's near-total ban and that the laws violated their rights and endangered their health. The suit, filed by Amplify Legal, combines personal accounts from a woman who miscarried but was told care was blocked because the fetus still had a heartbeat, a woman who traveled out of state for care, a woman who carried a nonviable pregnancy to stillbirth, and a woman who says she was raped and could not obtain an abortion in Arkansas. The complaint argues the two similar state laws are vague, infringe constitutional protections and threaten people's lives, fertility and economic wellbeing. Arkansas officials have said the state will defend its pro-life laws in court.
Known details:
- The lawsuit was filed by Amplify Legal on behalf of four Arkansas plaintiffs who say they were denied abortion care under the state's near-total ban.
- One plaintiff alleges hospital staff delayed treatment during a miscarriage because the fetus still had a heartbeat; she was later transferred to another state where care was provided and the baby died shortly after birth.
- Other plaintiffs say they were forced to travel for care, carried nonviable pregnancies to stillbirth, or were unable to obtain an abortion after a reported sexual assault.
- The governor's office responded that Arkansas will defend its laws in court and highlighted state policies supporting foster care, adoption and maternal health.
Summary:
The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality and clarity of Arkansas's near-total abortion bans and presents personal accounts of denied care and harm. The state says it will defend the laws in court. Undetermined at this time.
