Signaling skepticism that exceptions to TN abortion ban are adequate, judges rule against state

A group of doctors, women who experienced high risk pregnancies and the American Medical Association are challenging the vagueness of medical exceptions to Tennessee's strict abortion ban. (Photo:John Partipilo)

In a defeat for Gov. Bill Lee’s administration, a three-judge panel ruled against the state’s effort to end a longstanding lawsuit challenging the vagueness and inadequacy of exceptions to Tennessee’s near-total abortion ban.

Attorneys for the state asked for a ruling in their favor, without a trial, in a lawsuit brought by a group of Tennessee ob-gyns and women who had suffered serious medical problems during their pregnancies. The American Medical Association subsequently joined the lawsuit.

State attorneys had argued that a 2025 amendment adding “medical necessity exceptions”