More women join lawsuit challenging Texas' abortion laws

[Eugene]

Also: More Women Join Lawsuit Against Texas After Being Denied Abortion Care Despite Dangerous Pregnancy Complications (Center for Reproductive Rights)

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Source: Texas Tribune

More women join lawsuit challenging Texas’ abortion laws

Twenty women are challenging the state’s abortion laws, saying they were unable to get the health care they needed for their medically complex pregnancies.

BY ELEANOR KLIBANOFF
NOV. 14, 2023
9 AM CENTRAL

When Kimberly Manzano’s doctor first noticed some irregularities with her pregnancy, she turned to God, praying constantly for good news. When the diagnosis worsened, she and her husband sought comfort in the Bible’s Book of Hebrews — the book of hope.

And when her doctor finally determined her baby could not survive outside the womb, she asked her pastor for advice.

“He said, ‘if you believe your doctor to be a godly man, take what the doctor says as clarity from God in your decision,’” she recalls.

Manzano and her husband, both devout Christians, decided the most loving thing they could do for their son was terminate the pregnancy. It was a difficult decision for the couple, who both considered themselves anti-abortion before this.

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Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/14/texas-abortion-laws-lawsuit/

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Source: Center for Reproductive Rights

11.14.2023

More Women Join Lawsuit Against Texas After Being Denied Abortion Care Despite Dangerous Pregnancy Complications

Number of women harmed by the state’s abortion bans continues to grow as case heads to the Texas Supreme Court November 28.

Seven additional Texas women have joined a Center for Reproductive Rights lawsuit against the state after being denied medically necessary abortion care for their severe and dangerous pregnancy complications. After today’s filing, there are now 22 plaintiffs in the case, Zurawski v. State of Texas.

The move comes as the Texas Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in the case on November 28.

“This lawsuit started with five women and has grown continuously as more women come forward with their traumatic experiences,” said Molly Duane, Senior Staff Attorney at the Center. “The numbers will continue to grow until the state of Texas gives doctors clarity on who they can help and when. Yet, the Texas government is doubling down on these laws that continue to risk the lives and health of every pregnant person in Texas. All we are asking for is common-sense guidance that will allow doctors to use their good faith judgment without fearing loss of their license and life in prison.”

Filed by the Center in March, Zurawski v. State of Texas asks the court to give doctors clarity on what circumstances qualify as “medical emergency” exceptions in the state’s abortion bans and allow doctors to use their own medical judgment without fear of prosecution. The lawsuit argues that the Texas state constitution protects the right to obtain an abortion when facing life- or health-threatening conditions.

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Read more: https://reproductiverights.org/plaintiffs-join-zurawski-v-texas-11-14-23/