Indiana Governor Blocks Award for Doctor Who Provided Abortion to 10-Year-Old Rape Victim [View all]
In 2022, Indiana doctor Caitlin Bernard performed an abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim. The girl and her parents were forced to travel from Ohio to Indiana for the procedure due to Ohios strict abortion restrictions. Not long after, Dr. Bernard was fined $3,000 and received a letter of reprimand from the Indiana Medical Licensing Board. As if that wasnt enough, she is now out of the running for one of the most prestigious awards in Indiana.
Dr. Bernard was nominated for the Torchbearer Award, annually given out to Indiana women who have made a positive impact in their communities. The Indiana Commission for Women chooses the recipient each year, but this year there was an interruption in the selection process. In a private meeting after nominations for the award were announced, Governor Eric Holcomb reportedly decided that Dr. Bernard was not an appropriate nominee due to her involvement in a sham dispute with the Medical Licensing Board.
The state of Indiana rejected Dr. Bernards nomination for the award, removing her from the running altogether. The reason offered by the Indiana Civil Rights Commission was due to Dr. Bernards ongoing conflict with the Indiana Medical Licensing Board, stemming from Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokitas unproven legal accusations against Dr. Bernard and a complaint he filed with the Licensing Board.
There is no rule precluding nominees who are in legal proceedings at the time of their nomination, but that didnt stop Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb from taking the initiative to block Dr. Bernards nomination.
https://www.themarysue.com/indiana-governor-blocks-award-for-doctor-who-provided-abortion-to-10-year-old-rape-victim/