State Government Of Texas Sued To Court By 5 Affected Women
Last week, The state government of Texas introduced "The Women & Child Safety Act," a bill legislating a ban on the act and procedures of abortion. The Abortion law required ISPs to restrict websites that provide information on abortion. Barely a week later, five women denied abortions due to the new abortion law are now suing the state of Texas.
The Center for Reproductive Rights led by its president and CEO, Nancy Northup filed a lawsuit in the state court on behalf of the women. The lawsuit stated that "The women have been denied necessary and potentially life-saving obstetrical care because medical professionals throughout the state fear liability under Texas's abortion bans"
The senior attorney, Molly Duane representing the Center argued in court that the new change in state laws should not negate the fact that women still have constitutional and basic human rights.
"We're talking about people who are in medical emergencies, who need urgent medical care, and whose physicians are too scared to provide that care because of the state's laws and because the state fails to provide any clarification around what its law means," she defended.
The Center for Reproductive Rights wants the state to make exceptions to the law. Still, the office of the state's attorney general released a statement on Tuesday saying that the attorney general will "continue to defend and enforce the laws duly enacted by the Texas Legislature" and by forwarding a "guidance letter" on the state ban triggered by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.
Ever since the legislation of the Texas abortion law, doctors and hospitals have had to refuse even women in emergencies access to abortion for fear of losing their license to practice, going to jail, or paying exorbitant fines.
Sarah McCammon/NPR
Doctors Think The Texas Abortion Law May Pose A Threat To Women's Life
Texas became the first state to enforce an abortion ban law in 2021. The SB 8 law clearly stated that providing or abetting abortion services is a legal crime and anyone found guilty can be charged to court with a lawsuit worth thousands of dollars. Although it had allowed an exception to emergency cases, it's still an inadequate amendment as many more women are being denied approval despite their medical needs.
Some women have had to experience life-threatening situations. Many more doctors are beginning to worry about patients' safety as the new law restricts them from making medical interventions.
The Center for Reproductive rights applauded their bravery for joining the lawsuit for an amendment that affords doctors a reasonable exception to pregnant women diagnosed with adverse medical conditions.
Plaintiffs In The Lawsuit Share Their Stories
Anna Zargarian and Lauren Miller share their stories in an interview granted in 2022. Zargarian was denied an abortion after her water broke barely 19 weeks into her pregnancy. Despite the life-threatening situation she was in, her doctor could do nothing to save her and she had to go to Colorado for medical intervention and termination.
Anna also had a complicated twin pregnancy that demanded the termination of one of the twins to save the life of the mother and the other twin. The hospital also turned her down for fear of the consequences of carrying out the procedure and breaking the abortion law. Four out of the five women in the lawsuit had to travel out of Texas to seek medical support in other states.
The lawsuit filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights expressed the concern of medical practitioners about the abortion law and the damage it may cause to their patients. Zargarian also shared the same fears when she came forward with her story, stating that she thinks "somebody will die eventually if nothing is done about it.
The Texas Abortion Law has left behind a trail of sentimental views that must be addressed.