In a move that could protect Texas doctors from political prosecution, the Biden Administration has issued a directive ordering emergency room doctors to perform abortions on pregnant women when their life is at risk, despite state laws that may ban the procedure. Texas has a total ban on abortion, except when the mother’s life is at risk, so this federal directive essentially aligns with existing state law.
While organizations like the Texas Alliance for Life do not support laws that prosecute women seeking abortion, concerns remain for Texas doctors who perform abortions. In most cases, doctors performing abortions in the state could face felony charges and have their medical license suspended or revoked by the Texas Medical Board.
Despite updated rules adopted by the Texas Medical Board for doctors performing emergency abortions, there are still concerns about the clarity of these guidelines. Pro-choice advocates worry that physicians may struggle to make decisions and could be tortured by the process.
The directive issued by the Department of Health and Human Services aims to prevent pregnant women from being turned away from emergency medical treatment in hospital emergency departments. This new federal order may ease Texas doctors’ fears of political prosecution if they need to perform an emergency abortion.
The Texas Medical Board declined to comment on the matter but stated that they can only act within the confines of the law. In Texas, emergency abortions in cases where the mother’s life is at risk remain legal, providing a pathway for doctors to perform the procedure without fear of punishment.
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