AUSTIN, Texas — Friday morning, the Texas Medical Board met to propose a new rule that would allow doctors to perform a medically necessary abortion.about when women could qualify for an abortion in Texas.
The board also defines a medical emergency as “a life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, or arising from a pregnancy that, as certified by a physician, places the woman in danger of death or a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function unless an abortion is performed.”after the Supreme Court denied Texas woman Kate Cox an abortion. Cox’s fetus had full trisomy-18, a lethal fetal anomaly that would have affected Cox’s health and her future ability to have kids.
“Reasonable medical judgment means reasonable doubt,” Bresnen said. “A prosecutor must prove a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. If you give physicians sufficient guidance, sir, if you get sufficient guidance from this board and can make a reasonable medical judgment, you will have reasonable doubt when they try to put you in the penitentiary for 99 years.”
Zaafran said the board followed a similar guide frame during COVID when decided what types of elected procedures would be allowed. But those fighting for clarity worry that leaving it up to a physician’s reasonable judgment may not stand up in a court of law. “The Texas abortion law is not broken, there are doctors who are confused,” said Sue Liebel of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America."The solution isn't in up-ending standing policy but rather to educate them they they can use their reasonable medical judgement."