Supreme Court won't hear appeal of Indiana abortion law
The Supreme Court yesterday refused to hear the appeal over an Indiana law requiring women to get counseling in person 18 hours before they undergo an abortion.

That means the law will immediately go into effect, though it was passed eight years ago. The Supreme Court's denial of certiorari lets stand a 2-1 decision from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the law.

"For the first time abortion providers in Indiana will be required to give women information about the risks," Mike Fichter, executive director of Indiana Right to Life, tells the Associated Press. "We're glad that the court battles look like they're finally over."

Ah, but they're never over, Mr. Fichter. Even this case was in many ways a rehash: in 1992, the Supreme Court's Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision allowed mandatory in-person counseling. And a rehash of the debate over Indiana's law is in the works. "Some [abortion] providers began adjusting their operations immediately, but they also are considering an appeal of the law in state court, The Indianapolis Star reports. "The decision on a new legal challenge under the state constitution could be made by early next week."

In the meantime, however, the abortion lobby is seething. "Obviously we're disappointed," Center for Reproductive Rights attorney Janet Crepps tells the Star. "It's not just that it will prevent some women from getting abortions at all, it will also delay a significant number of other women, and that delay could increase their risks."

One note about the counseling: a lot of it won't be from Planned Parenthood. Of the group's 38 clinics and health centers, three provide abortions, and 13 receive federal funding. Those 13 "will ...