Texas Medical Board to Clarify Abortion Law Exceptions
Nebraska's 12-week abortion ban has significantly impacted patient care, according to a study conducted by The Flatwater Free Press involving 11 doctors specializing in pregnancy and childbirth. Some physicians reported an increase in patients seeking contraception and sterilization, while others had to refer patients out of state for abortion care when complications arose in otherwise wanted pregnancies. Anti-abortion advocates argue that the law protects women, girls, and preborn babies from unsafe practices, while some doctors believe it saves lives and upholds the preborn child's right to life.
In Texas, the Medical Board (TMB) has been addressing exceptions within the state's abortion ban. The Texas Supreme Court upheld the ban but confirmed that medical exceptions do not require doctors to wait until patients are near death before intervening. The TMB has proposed new language to clarify these exceptions, which will be discussed in a June meeting. The board's guidance, which has now been approved, aims to help doctors navigate the law while investigating allegations of illegal abortions. However, the guidelines do not provide a specific list of conditions under which an abortion would be legal, leading to ongoing concerns among healthcare providers and reproductive rights advocates about the practical application of the law.
