Appeals court effectively reinstates ban on most abortions in Texas

The Hill ^ | 04 10 2020 | Tal Axelrod

[yesthatjallen]

A federal appeals court on Friday temporarily blocked a ruling from a lower court that allowed some abortions to resume in Texas as the government in Austin works to curtail the procedure during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Fifth Circuit of Appeals based in New Orleans issued a stay halting the decision from a lower court, with the move essentially upholding a state policy deeming abortion a non-essential procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The appeals court’s ruling means that most abortions will now be prohibited in Texas, though it includes an exception for pregnancies nearing the state’s 22-week cutoff.

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) had issued an executive order last month ordering medical providers to cancel nonessential surgeries and procedures to save hospital space and protective gear for the coronavirus response. The order did not delineate which procedures are considered nonessential, but Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) later said he would prosecute providers that continue performing abortions.

The ban, which includes limited exceptions including concerns over the mother’s life, is set to expire on April 22.

SNIP

[FoxInSocks]

This political game will have a lasting consequence on Texans for generations to come,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, acting president of Planned Parenthood.

That’s interesting. If she had her way, there wouldn’t be any future generations.