Texas court blocks woman from emergency abortion

By John Mercury December 9, 2023

The Texas Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a woman from obtaining an emergency abortion.

Kate Cox, 31, sought court authorisation for the abortion because her foetus was diagnosed with a genetic abnormality that usually results in miscarriage, stillbirth or death soon after birth.

The legal battle is a major test case since the US Supreme Court overturned the nationwide constitutional right to abortion when it struck down Roe v Wade last year.

A lower court in the state of Texas – which has a near complete ban on abortion – made a ruling allowing the emergency procedure.

However, the state’s highest court halted that decision after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton requested the block.

This image provided by Kate Cox shows Kate Cox. A Texas judge has given the pregnant woman whose fetus had a fatal diagnosis permission to get an abortion in an unprecedented challenge to the state...s ban that took effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned last year. It was unclear Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 how quickly or whether Kate Cox, a 31-year-old mother of two from the Dallas area, will be able to obtain an abortion. State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble says she will grant a temporary restraining order that will allow Cox to have an abortion. (Kate Cox via AP)
Image:
Kate Cox’s case has gone to the Texas Supreme Court. Pic: AP

Ms Cox, who is about 20 weeks pregnant, said in her lawsuit that she would need to undergo her third caesarean section if she continues the pregnancy.

That could jeopardise her ability to have more children, which she said she and her husband want.

Although her doctors believed abortion was medically necessary for her, they were unwilling to perform one without a court order in the face of potential penalties, including life in prison and loss of their licenses, her lawsuit added.

“While we still hope that the Court ultimately rejects the state’s request and does so quickly, in this case we fear that justice delayed will be justice denied,” said Molly Duane, senior staff attorney at the Centre for Reproductive Rights.

Read more:
The reality of life under the new US abortion laws
US Supreme Court preserves access to abortion pill

Republican Mr Paxton, who had previously warned that any doctors involved in providing the emergency abortion would not be safe from prosecution, asked the Texas Supreme Court to intervene.

“Nothing can restore the unborn child’s life that will be lost as a result,” the court filing by Mr Paxton’s office said.

The state’s abortion ban includes only a narrow exception to save the mother’s life or prevent substantial impairment of a
major bodily function.

source

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