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The Indiana Medical Licensing Board has voted to reprimand the state doctor for violating patient privacy laws by publicly disclosing that she performed an abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio, a case that has drawn national attention due to the state’s Republican attorney general’s audience. feud with the doctor.
Dr. Caitlin Barnard is in Indianapolis.
key facts
The panel ruled that Dr. Caitlin Barnard violated state privacy laws by telling a newspaper reporter the procedure she performed on a 10-year-old rape victim after the minor was denied one in her home state due to a six-week Ohio miscarriage. The Associated Press reported.
Bernard was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.
The board rejected claims by State Attorney General Todd Rokita that Bernard violated Indiana law by failing to report a child abuse case to the state Department of Children’s Services and denied a request from his office to suspend Bernard’s license.
According to the Associated Press, Bernard told the board that she had followed all of Indiana’s reporting requirements — something Washington PostShe confirmed his reports – reported the case to hospital social workers and did not disclose any information identifying the minor.
During the session, Chairman of the Board, Dr. John Strobel, He said that protecting patient privacy was more important than “pointing out to the media,” but later conceded that Bernard might not have is expected The story went viral.
Crucial quote
Rokita’s office responded in a statement: “As we have said for a year, this case was about patient privacy and the trust between doctor and patient that was broken… We appreciate the Medical Licensing Board’s extraordinary time and consideration… Caitlin Bernard was found liable for violating federal and state patient privacy law in three Separate charges.
main background
The 10-year-old’s miscarriage — which occurred days after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year — received national attention after it was reported Indianapolis Star While a total ban on abortion was in effect in the red states. At the time, abortions in Indiana were legal up to 22 weeks of gestation while Ohio banned the procedure after six weeks. Ohio’s ban has since been overturned by a state court, and a statewide abortion ban passed by Indiana lawmakers is still pending as it faces challenge in the state Supreme Court. The story sparked a public dispute between Bernard and Roqueta, with the Republican attorney general accusing the doctor of violating state and federal law. Bernard has since responded by suing Rokita for defamation, alleging he made “false and misleading statements” and attempted to “unlawfully harass doctors and patients” who perform legal abortions in the state.
Further reading
Indiana doctor rebuked for speaking out about 10-year-old Ohio girl’s miscarriage (Associated Press)
Indiana Medical Council found Dr. Caitlin Barnard violated girl’s privacy in abortion case (Indianapolis Star)
An Indiana doctor faces a disciplinary hearing, after performing an abortion on a 10-year-old Ohio girl (Forbes)
