In Indiana, a law passed in 2017 tried to do something deeply dangerous: it made it illegal for doctors to even talk to minors about how to get abortion care out of state. It banned them from sharing information, offering support, or referring patients to safe, legal services beyond Indiana’s borders—even when abortion is nearly impossible to access here.

This wasn’t just an attack on abortion rights. It was a direct assault on the First Amendment and on the trust between doctors and their patients.

Thankfully, in 2024, Judge Sarah Barker struck down this cruel law, recognizing it for what it was—a content-based restriction on speech that violated doctors’ constitutional rights. The ruling affirmed that doctors must be allowed to provide accurate, compassionate guidance to any patient seeking medical care, including minors.

But that victory is now at risk. The case is being appealed to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the outcome could determine whether Indiana—and other states—can silence medical professionals for political reasons. We cannot let that happen.

The stakes are highest for young people in unsafe homes or with unsupportive families. Blocking them from learning about their legal options doesn’t protect them—it traps them. Everyone deserves the right to make informed choices about their health, especially when time-sensitive, life-altering care is on the line.

We, the undersigned, call on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold Judge Barker’s ruling and permanently strike down Indiana’s “aid-or-assist” law. We also urge Indiana lawmakers to stop passing laws that endanger vulnerable youth and violate constitutional rights. Protect freedom of speech. Protect reproductive freedom. Protect the right to access care—no matter your age, zip code, or family situation.