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Texas Debates Bill to Clarify Emergency Abortion Exceptions

House Bill 44 seeks to provide legal clarity for doctors performing life-saving abortions, but concerns over reviving pre-Roe laws complicate bipartisan support.

Amanda Zurawski, one of five plaintiffs, speaks in front of the state Capitol in Austin, Texas, March 7, 2023, as the Center for Reproductive Rights and the plaintiffs announced their lawsuit, which asked for clarity in Texas law as to when abortions can be provided under the "medical emergency" exception.
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An empty emergency room at Goodall-Witcher Hospital in Clifton on August 3, 2021.

Overview

  • House Bill 44 aims to define when doctors can legally perform abortions to save a patient's life or prevent severe bodily harm, addressing ambiguity in Texas abortion laws.
  • The bill has bipartisan backing, with support from medical associations and both anti-abortion and pro-abortion rights groups, but faces resistance from conservative lawmakers questioning its necessity.
  • Concerns persist that amendments to the bill could inadvertently revive a pre-Roe law, potentially criminalizing women and those aiding them in obtaining abortions.
  • Lawmakers, including co-author Rep. Ann Johnson, are exploring amendments to ensure the bill does not unintentionally reactivate the outdated statute.
  • Medical professionals emphasize the urgent need for clarity to prevent delays in care, citing physician departures and reduced medical training interest in Texas due to current legal uncertainties.