Latest news with #medicalexceptions
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Bipartisan support propels Texas bill to clarify medical exceptions in near-total abortion ban
A bill that clarifies the medical exceptions to the state of Texas' near-abortion ban could be headed to the governor's desk as early as Thursday. It comes as lawmakers in the Texas House gave preliminary passage of the legislation Wednesday afternoon. The bill is aimed at better defining for doctors when it is ok for them to perform an abortion. The measure received widespread and bipartisan support in the Texas House, passing by a margin of 129 to six and 10 lawmakers present but not voting. Many abortion-rights and anti-abortion groups backed this legislation. Some conservatives opposed the bill. The measure came after some women, their doctors, and hospitals sued the state, complaining that the state's near-total abortion ban was too vague. As a result, they said critical care was either delayed or denied and some had to leave the state to get an abortion, putting their lives in danger. Exceptions under abortion law In Texas, the only exception to an abortion is to save the life of the mother. This new bill says that a doctor can perform the procedure if a mother's life or a major bodily function is in danger, either imminently or long-term. Examples include cancer treatment, kidney and liver failure. Opponents said they worry the bill will be a slippery slope in allowing more abortions, but the author of the bill, Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, disputed that during debate on the legislation. "We are in no way promoting abortion on this," said Geren. "What we are trying to do is save the life or the bodily functions of a mother. I get a little emotional about this. I've got friends who watched their wives nearly bleed out." "This bill creates loopholes to recharge the pro-choice industry in Texas, and I will be voting no," said Rep. David Lowe, R-Arlington, one of the six lawmakers who voted against the measure. The Texas ACLU opposes the bill and, in a statement, said, "No amount of 'clarification' can fix a fundamentally unjust law." The Texas House will give final passage on Thursday. The Senate already approved the measure unanimously, 31-0. The next stop after Thursday's vote in the House will be Gov. Abbott's desk. House passes another abortion related bill Wednesday SB 33 bans local governments from paying for residents to go out of state to get an abortion. One other piece of legislation, SB 2880, seeks to crack down on the sale and trafficking of abortion pills. After passing in the Senate, it has been referred to a House committee. Watch Eye On Politics at 7:30 Sunday morning on CBS News Texas on air and streaming
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Texas lawmakers advance bill to clarify medical exceptions under restrictive abortion law
Why Democrats went along with a Republican abortion bill in Texas | Texas Monthly Why Democrats went along with a Republican abortion bill in Texas | Texas Monthly Why Democrats went along with a Republican abortion bill in Texas | Texas Monthly Texas lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday to clarify medical exceptions under one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the U.S., putting the GOP-backed proposal on the brink of reaching Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. The changes would not expand abortion access in Texas or list specific medical exceptions under the state's near-total ban, which took effect in 2022 and only allows for an abortion to save the life of the mother. It also would not include exceptions for cases of rape or incest. But the proposal is still a pivot for Texas Republicans, who for years have defended the law as written in the face of legal challenges and pleas for clarity from medical providers. Democrats, meanwhile, have called the bill a positive step but also faced criticism from some abortion-rights allies who raised doubts about what, if any, impact it will have. The bill would specify that doctors cannot face criminal charges for performing an abortion in a medical emergency that causes major bodily impairment. It also defines a "life-threatening" condition as one capable of causing death. Senate Bill 31 passed 129-6 and needs only a final procedural vote before reaching Abbott, who has signaled support for the measure. North Texas doctor has mixed feelings toward the bill Three years ago, Dr. Austin Dennard traveled outside Texas for an abortion after her fetus was diagnosed with a fatal condition. She later testified in a lawsuit about how the state's near-total ban on abortion put her health at risk. Dennard's feelings are mixed about the bill, which does not list specific medical conditions or include fatal fetal anomalies as exceptions. "What is broadly now known among practicing physicians in Texas is that abortions are illegal," said Dennard, an OB-GYN in Dallas. "Undoing that broad understanding is going to be difficult." Moves to clarify medical exemptions Lawmakers in at least nine states with abortion bans have sought to change or clarify medical exceptions that allow doctors to perform an abortion if the mother's life is at risk since Roe v. Wade was overturned nearly three years ago, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. Supporters of these bills have said they have the potential to save lives. Critics, including some abortion rights groups, have questioned whether they make state abortion laws easier to understand. In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear earlier this year vetoed a bill that GOP lawmakers touted as bringing clarity to that state's near-total abortion ban, saying it would not protect pregnant women. Republican lawmakers later overrode his veto. Last year, South Dakota released a video for physicians that outlined examples of acceptable medical emergencies, which received criticism from abortion rights supporters for not being specific enough. "I think these bills are trying to get at the reality that exceptions are really hard to comply with," said Kimya Forouzan, principal state policy adviser at the Guttmacher Institute. Still, Texas Republican Sen. Bryan Hughes, an architect of the state's abortion ban, said the new bill's goal is to avoid confusion among doctors. "One of the most important things we want to do is to make sure that doctors and hospitals and the hospital lawyers are trained on what the law is," Hughes said. Navigating exceptions under abortion bans In 2024, the Texas Supreme Court ruled against Dennard and a group of women who said they were denied abortions after experiencing serious pregnancy complications that threatened their lives and fertility. The court ruled that the state's laws were clear in allowing doctors to perform an abortion to save the life of the mother. Texas' efforts underscore the challenges abortion opponents have had to navigate regarding medical exceptions, said Mary Ziegler, a professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law and a historian of abortion politics in the U.S. Judges have put enforcement of Utah's abortion ban on hold in a case over exceptions, for example, and they struck down two Oklahoma bans over medical exceptions – though most abortions in that state remain illegal. For abortion opponents, Ziegler said, it's tricky to craft legislation that does two different things. "Can you provide clear guidance as to when medical intervention is justified without providing physicians discretion to provide abortions they don't think are emergencies?" Ziegler said. Texas may advance other anti-abortion laws Texas' ban prohibits nearly all abortions, except to save the life of the mother, and doctors can be fined up to $100,000 and face up to 99 years in prison if convicted of performing an abortion illegally. Attorney General Ken Paxton's office has filed criminal charges against a midwife for allegedly providing illegal abortions and is also suing a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman. Texas Republicans are also advancing efforts to make it a civil offense to mail, deliver or manufacture abortion pills, expanding on a 2021 law that allows private individuals to sue others whom they suspect are helping a woman obtain an abortion.
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Texas' bill to clarify abortion ban reaches a key vote on Wednesday
Why Democrats went along with a Republican abortion bill in Texas | Texas Monthly Why Democrats went along with a Republican abortion bill in Texas | Texas Monthly Why Democrats went along with a Republican abortion bill in Texas | Texas Monthly On Wednesday, a key vote is scheduled on a bill that aims to clarify medical exceptions under one of the nation's most restrictive bans. For the first time since Texas' abortion ban took effect in 2022, both Republicans and Democrats are coalescing behind legislation to clarify medical exceptions. For Republicans, the bill is a significant pivot after years of defending the ban in the face of legal challenges, while some abortion-rights supporters have questioned whether it will make a difference. The bill would specify that doctors cannot face criminal charges for performing an abortion in a medical emergency that causes major bodily impairment, and it defines a "life-threatening" condition as one capable of causing death. It would not broaden exceptions to include cases of rape or incest. The bill, which passed the Senate last month, could advance to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as soon as Wednesday if approved by the GOP-controlled Texas House. Similar near-total abortion bans across the country have faced numerous legal challenges and criticism from medical professionals who have said that medical exceptions are too vague. North Texas doctor has mixed feelings towards the bill Three years ago, Dr. Austin Dennard left Texas for an abortion after her fetus was diagnosed with a fatal condition. She later testified in a lawsuit about how the state's near-total ban on abortion put her health at risk. Dennard's feelings are mixed about the bill, which does not list specific medical conditions or include fatal fetal anomalies as exceptions. "What is broadly now known among practicing physicians in Texas is that abortions are illegal," said Dennard, an OB-GYN in Dallas. "Undoing that broad understanding is going to be difficult." Moves to clarify medical exemptions Lawmakers in at least nine states with abortion bans have sought to change or clarify medical exceptions that allow doctors to perform an abortion if the mother's life is at risk since Roe v. Wade was overturned nearly three years ago, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. Supporters of these bills have said they have the potential to save lives. Critics, including some abortion rights groups, have questioned whether they make state abortion laws easier to understand. In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear earlier this year vetoed a bill that GOP lawmakers touted as bringing clarity to that state's near-total abortion ban, saying it would not protect pregnant women. Republican lawmakers later overrode his veto. Last year, South Dakota released a video for physicians that outlined examples of acceptable medical emergencies that received criticism from abortion rights supporters for not being specific enough. "I think these bills are trying to get at the reality that exceptions are really hard to comply with," said Kimya Forouzan, principal state policy adviser at the Guttmacher Institute. Still, Texas Republican Sen. Bryan Hughes, an architect of the state's abortion ban, said the new bill's goal is to avoid confusion among doctors. "One of the most important things we want to do is to make sure that doctors and hospitals and the hospital lawyers are trained on what the law is," Hughes said. Navigating exceptions under bans In 2024, the Texas Supreme Court ruled against Dennard and a group of women who say they were denied an abortion after experiencing serious pregnancy complications that threatened their lives and fertility. The court ruled that the state's laws were clear in allowing doctors to perform an abortion to save the life of the mother. Texas' efforts underscore the challenges abortion opponents have had to navigate regarding medical exceptions, said Mary Ziegler, a professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law and a historian of abortion politics in the U.S. Judges have put enforcement of Utah's abortion ban on hold in a case over exceptions, for example, and they struck down two Oklahoma bans over medical exceptions – though most abortions in that state remain illegal. For abortion opponents, Ziegler said, it's tricky to craft legislation that does two different things. "Can you provide clear guidance as to when medical intervention is justified without providing physicians discretion to provide abortions they don't think are emergencies?" Ziegler said. Texas may advance other anti-abortion laws Texas' ban prohibits nearly all abortions, except to save the life of the mother, and doctors can be fined up to $100,000 and face up to 99 years in prison if convicted of performing an abortion illegally. Attorney General Ken Paxton's office has filed criminal charges against a midwife for allegedly providing illegal abortions and is also suing a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman. Texas Republicans are also advancing efforts to make it a civil offense to mail, deliver or manufacture abortion pills, expanding on a 2021 law that allows private individuals to sue others whom they suspect are helping a woman obtain an abortion.
Washington Post
21-05-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
A Texas effort to clarify abortion ban reaches a key vote, but doubts remain
AUSTIN, Texas — Three years ago, Dr. Austin Dennard left Texas for an abortion after her fetus was diagnosed with a fatal condition. She later testified in a lawsuit how the state's near-total ban on abortion put her health at risk. On Wednesday, a key vote is scheduled on a bill that aims to clarify medical exceptions under one of the nation's most restrictive bans. But Dennard's feelings are mixed about the bill, which does not list specific medical conditions or include fatal fetal anomalies as exceptions.
Associated Press
21-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
A Texas effort to clarify abortion ban reaches a key vote, but doubts remain
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Three years ago, Dr. Austin Dennard left Texas for an abortion after her fetus was diagnosed with a fatal condition. She later testified in a lawsuit how the state's near-total ban on abortion put her health at risk. On Wednesday, a key vote is scheduled on a bill that aims to clarify medical exceptions under one of the nation's most restrictive bans. But Dennard's feelings are mixed about the bill, which does not list specific medical conditions or include fatal fetal anomalies as exceptions. 'What is broadly now known among practicing physicians in Texas is that abortions are illegal,' said Dennard, an OB-GYN in Dallas. 'Undoing that broad understanding is going to be difficult.' For the first time since Texas' abortion ban took effect in 2022, both Republicans and Democrats are coalescing behind legislation to clarify medical exceptions. For Republicans, the bill is a significant pivot after years of defending the ban in the face of legal challenges, while some abortion-rights supporters have questioned whether it will make a difference. The bill would specify that doctors cannot face criminal charges for performing an abortion in a medical emergency that causes major bodily impairment, and it defines a 'life-threatening' condition as one capable of causing death. It would not broaden exceptions to include cases of rape or incest. The bill, which passed the Senate last month, could advance to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott as soon as Wednesday if approved by the GOP-controlled Texas House. Similar near-total abortion bans across the country have faced numerous legal challenges and criticism from medical professionals who have said that medical exceptions are too vague. Moves to clarify medical exceptions Lawmakers in at least nine states with abortion bans have sought to change or clarify medical exceptions that allow doctors to perform an abortion if the mother's life is at risk since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. Supporters of these bills have said they have the potential to save lives. Critics, including some abortion rights groups, have questioned whether they make state abortion laws easier to understand. In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear earlier this year vetoed a bill that GOP lawmakers touted as bringing clarity to that state's near-total abortion ban, saying it would not protect pregnant women. Republican lawmakers later overrode his veto. Last year, South Dakota released a video for physicians that outlined examples of acceptable medical emergencies that received criticism from abortion rights supporters for not being specific enough. 'I think these bills are trying to get at the reality that exceptions are really hard to comply with,' said Kimya Forouzan, principal state policy adviser at the Guttmacher Institute. Still, Texas Republican Sen. Bryan Hughes, an architect of the state's abortion ban, said the new bill's goal is to avoid confusion among doctors. 'One of the most important things we want to do is to make sure that doctors and hospitals and the hospital lawyers are trained on what the law is,' Hughes said. Navigating exceptions under bans In 2024, the Texas Supreme Court ruled against Dennard and a group of women who say they were denied an abortion after experiencing serious pregnancy complications that threatened their lives and fertility. The court ruled that the state's laws were clear in allowing doctors to perform an abortion to save the life of the mother. Texas' efforts underscore the challenges abortion opponents have had to navigate regarding medical exceptions, said Mary Ziegler, a professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law and a historian of abortion politics in the U.S. Judges have put enforcement of Utah's abortion ban on hold in a case over exceptions, for example, and they struck down two Oklahoma bans over medical exceptions – though most abortions in that state remain illegal. For abortion opponents, Ziegler said, it's tricky to craft legislation that does two different things. 'Can you provide clear guidance as to when medical intervention is justified without providing physicians discretion to provide abortions they don't think are emergencies?' Ziegler said. Texas may advance other anti-abortion laws Texas' ban prohibits nearly all abortions, except to save the life of the mother, and doctors can be fined up to $100,000 and face up to 99 years in prison if convicted of performing an abortion illegally. Attorney General Ken Paxton's office has filed criminal charges against a midwife for allegedly providing illegal abortions and is also suing a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman. Texas Republicans are also advancing efforts to make it a civil offense to mail, deliver or manufacture abortion pills, expanding on a 2021 law that allows private individuals to sue others whom they suspect are helping a woman obtain an abortion. ___ Associated Press writer Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, contributed to this report. ___ Lathan is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
