STOCK IMAGE Patient talking to doctor at medical appointment. FG Trade/Getty Images The Texas Medical Association (TMA) is sounding the alarm over a growing number of cases in the state where health professionals are opposed to providing care to women with serious pregnancy complications for fear of violating the state’s abortion ban. According to Allie Morris of The Dallas Morning News, a letter sent Wednesday by members of the nonprofit to the Texas Medical Board claimed the association has received complaints about hospital administrators barring health care providers from offering critical services. in patients with ectopic pregnancy and other complications of childbirth. The letter calls on the board to “act quickly to prevent any illegal intrusion into the practice of medicine.” TMA’s memo comes as health care providers face a changing legal landscape following the Supreme Court’s opinion overturning Roe v. Wade and the return of laws governing the legality of abortion to states. Texas has a trigger law on the books that will ban abortion almost universally, starting 30 days after the Supreme Court issues its official decision formally overturning Roe — something that hasn’t happened yet. Meanwhile, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed lawsuits seeking to enforce nearly century-old anti-abortion laws that criminalize the act of obtaining or providing an abortion. Paxton’s efforts led to the lifting of a temporary restraining order preventing state prosecutors from charging abortion recipients during the 30-day enforcement statute of limitations set by the Texas Abortion Enabling Act. The Texas Supreme Court last Friday ruled against the ban, opening up abortion providers to civil lawsuits but not criminal charges in the interim. Further complicating matters for providers is the Texas heartbeat law. Passed in September 2021, the measure bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected and allows private individuals to bring civil suits against those suspected of providing or instigating an abortion performed after that point. The legislation, originally introduced as Texas Senate Bill 8, does not allow abortions even in cases of rape or incest. Dan Carson is a senior editor at the Chron. He has previously worked at FOX Sports and Bleacher Report. Enjoys Formula 1, Indiana basketball and avoiding Galleria traffic.
