The bill comes after ProPublica’s reporting on the deaths of three Texas women. It specifies that doctors don’t need to wait until an emergency is “imminent” to terminate pregnancies but leaves in steep penalties for those who violate the law.
While the bill attempts to mitigate the criminal risk for providers handling pregnancy complications, it leaves intact the most powerful deterrent: steep penalties of up to $100,000 in fines, 99 years in prison and loss of medical license for those who violate the law.
If I’m a doctor, there is no way I’m sticking my neck out, even if this law opens the door a crack. No one wants to be the test case for what is or isn’t going to send you to prison for the rest of your life.
If I’m a doctor, there is no way I’m sticking my neck out, even if this law opens the door a crack. No one wants to be the test case for what is or isn’t going to send you to prison for the rest of your life.