- United States
- Texas
- Letter
The tragic and preventable deaths of Josseli Barnica, Nevaeh Crain, and others in Texas due to the state's strict abortion ban demonstrate an urgent need to reform these laws. Doctors have been placed in untenable situations, unable to provide the standard of care for patients experiencing miscarriages or pregnancy complications. This has led to unacceptable delays in treatment, putting women's lives at grave risk. The proposed legislation to create new exceptions allowing abortions to preserve the physical and mental health of the patient, preserve fertility, or in cases of severe fetal abnormalities is a step in the right direction. However, as long as abortion remains criminalized with harsh penalties, some doctors may still hesitate to intervene for fear of prosecution. True reform requires removing the threat of criminal penalties altogether so that physicians can make treatment decisions based solely on medical ethics and evidence-based practices without legal ramifications. The health and lives of pregnant Texans must be the top priority.
