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Texas Medical Board Issues Clarified Rules for Emergency Abortions

New guidelines specify documentation requirements and address physician concerns but leave some issues unresolved.

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President of the Texas Medical Board Dr. Sherif Zaafran, M.D., center, speaks during a board meeting in Austin on Mar. 22, 2024. During the meeting, the board addressed ‘Consideration and possible action on rules regarding exceptions to the ban on abortions.’

Overview

  • Doctors have seven days to document their decision-making process for emergency abortions.
  • The requirement to consider patient transfer to higher care facilities has been removed.
  • Abortions are explicitly allowed for ectopic pregnancies and do not require imminent danger to proceed.
  • The board excluded a list of conditions for permissible abortions, citing the uniqueness of each case.
  • Concerns remain about physicians' comfort and potential legal challenges under the new rules.