After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, 20 states banned or severely restricted abortion. Six states voted to protect access to it. And on Tuesday, voters in 10 states will decide on measures that would add abortion rights to their state constitutions. To understand the impact of the changing legal landscape and its complexities, we went to the first state to change its abortion laws: Texas.
Tonight, you will hear from doctors who say, in Texas, the laws designed to stop abortions are creating unintended consequences – hurting women with desired pregnancies and the people who care for them.
Dani Mathisen, a young OB-GYN resident in Texas, shared her heartbreaking story. She was excited to start a family with her high school sweetheart but received devastating news during a routine scan at 20 weeks of pregnancy. Her baby had severe abnormalities that would not allow her to survive. However, due to the new Texas law banning abortions after six weeks, Mathisen faced challenges in accessing the care she needed. With the help of her mother, also a physician, she was able to travel to New Mexico for the procedure.
The restrictive abortion laws in Texas have not only affected pregnant women but also physicians. Dr. Emily Briggs, a family medicine practitioner, highlighted the fear and confusion among doctors due to the legal consequences they could face for providing care to women with complicated pregnancies. The threat of prosecution has led to a situation where hospitals require physicians to consult with attorneys before treating patients, even in cases of miscarriages.
The impact of these laws goes beyond individual cases. Maternal deaths in Texas have risen significantly since the restrictions on abortion were implemented. The fear and uncertainty created by the laws have driven some doctors to leave the state, affecting the availability of comprehensive maternity care for women in Texas. OB-GYN residents are also facing challenges in receiving the necessary training due to the restrictions, leading some to seek training outside of the state.
As more women travel out of state for abortion services, Texas has imposed travel bans and legal threats against those assisting in the process. The situation has created a lack of trust in the local healthcare system for women facing pregnancy complications.
In conclusion, the restrictive abortion laws in Texas have had far-reaching consequences on both pregnant women and physicians. The stories shared by Dr. Mathisen and Dr. Briggs shed light on the challenges faced by individuals seeking and providing care in this new legal landscape. It is crucial for lawmakers to work with healthcare providers to ensure that women in Texas receive the care they need and deserve, without fear or uncertainty. Failure to address these issues could result in a further exodus of physicians from the state and put the lives of women at risk.
