By: Andy Yu

Late last Friday, State Legislators in Indiana enacted restrictive abortion laws, the first state ban since the Roe v Wade overturn. Indiana’s state ban has a large price tag and is expected to drastically hurt its economy. Immediate objections followed the controversial decision with large business owners protesting and democratic leaders looking for ways to repeal the decision.

The ban, which goes into effect September 15, restricts abortion care to only cases of rape, incest, lethal fetal abnormality, or for safety.

Indiana’s state ban is a major victory for abortion foes across America. It sets up a road map for other conservative states pushing for restrictive abortion laws. However, this law did not pass smoothly as disagreements arose amongst anti-abortion activists, some of whom arguing that the legislation did not go far enough.

Economically speaking, the controversial ban has a large price tag for Indiana. Following the decision, Eli Lily, a pharmaceutical company responsible for a large percentage of employment in Indiana, warned that such measures could negatively affect their recruitment leading to a company relocation. In a public statement, the company said, “We are concerned that this law will hinder Lilly’s — and Indiana’s — ability to attract diverse scientific engineering and business talent from around the world… we will be forced to plan for more employment growth outside our home state.”

The sweeping ban could also have negative implications on state tourism, an industry that is a centerpiece to their economy. The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce believed that the ban was decided to quickly with little regard given to how it would impact the state’s economy: “[s]uch an expedited legislative process — rushing to advance state policy on broad, complex issues — is, at best, detrimental to Hoosiers, and at worst, reckless… Will the Indy region continue to attract tourism and convention investments?”

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