Texas Abortion Ban Further Risking Women's Lives

Confusion over what is covered, and not covered, in the recent crackdown on abortion procedures in Texas has produced dangerous confusion over what pregnancy complications can be immediately treated.

A sign welcoming patients from East Texas is displayed in the waiting area of the Women's Reproductive Clinic, which provides legal medication abortion services, in Santa Teresa, New Mexico on June 15, 2022. (Photo by Robyn Beck/via Getty Images)

Following the reversal of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, Texas and several other states had trigger laws put in place that would automatically become active within a certain time. The current law in Texas, TX House Bill 1280 (a bill that is yet to be titled) dictates that it is a second-degree felony "for a person who knowingly performs, induces, or attempts an abortion." The penalty will be elevated to first-degree felony "if the unborn child dies as a result of the offense."