AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Doctors who perform life-saving abortions may soon be required to document whether they first tried to transfer the patient to another facility to avoid terminating the pregnancy, a move some say goes beyond the language of the law.
Health lawyers and doctors worry this proposed requirement further disincentivizes doctors from performing medically necessary, but legally risky, abortions.
“This creates even more uncertainty for doctors who were already concerned,” said Rachael Gearing, a Dallas health care lawyer who represents OB/GYN clinics. “It’s basically saying, ‘Well, you should have passed your patient off to someone else who would have held out longer and wouldn’t have done the abortion.’”
Texas’ laws allow abortions to save a patient’s life, but doctors have struggled to apply that exception in practice, especially when faced with up to life in prison, fines and the loss of their medical license.
Kylie Minogue plays peekaboo in sparkling black dress as she's honored at the TIME 100 Gala in NYC
Sri Lanka to join Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership: president
Rescue operations underway in earthquake
HKSAR LegCo unanimously passes national security bill
Mike Trout leading majors in home runs, but is looking for more consistency at the plate
Father's DIY 'excavator' toy delights daughter and wins hearts online
Polish opponents of abortion march against recent steps to liberalize strict law
How to tackle crime in Indian Country? Empower tribal justice, ex
Putin announces plans to visit China in May
Canadian business council urges regular dialogue with China
Indonesia and Japan advance at U23 Asian Cup. South Korea out of contention for Paris Olympics
Country star Morgan Wallen is seen for the FIRST time since his arrest as he steps out with ex