WACO, Texas (KWTX) – House Bill 7, which passed in September, is now expected to take effect tomorrow, banning out-of-state providers from mailing abortion medication to patients in Texas.
The new law also allow private citizens to sue anyone who prescribes or distributes the medication, offering a minimum reward of $100,000 to successful lawsuits.
Medical professionals voice concerns
During a press conference on House Bill 7, physicians and abortion providers across the U.S. spoke out against the new restrictions.
“Medical decisions should be based on a doctor’s training and a patient’s needs, not a politician’s beliefs,” said Dr. Bhavik Kumar, a TX-based family physician.
Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an OBGYN and Board Chair for the Committee to Protect Health Care, said with this law politicians are creating a healthcare crisis for vulnerable women who need reproductive care.
“So when politicians say that they are looking out for women’s safety, I can tell you they are absolutely not,” Dr. Lyerly said.
Another concern of theirs is that this law will hurt the trust between physician and patient, affecting their ability to give patients the best care.
“Even before this law goes into effect we’re already seeing patients that are very fearful about disclosing their use of medications, and certainly when we’re taking care of people we want them to be honest with us, let us know what’s going on so we can help them,” Dr. Kumar explained.
Supporters defend new restrictions
On the other hand, Dr. John Seago, president of Texas Right to Life, says House Bill 7 is important in helping to enforce abortion laws already in place.
“It gives us additional ways to hold those accountable that are already breaking our laws by mailing dangerous abortion pills that cause the death of the baby and hurt their mother,” Dr. Seago shared.
Further explaining that the law does allow for some exceptions.
“The law has actually very clearly defined medical emergency definition, it actually says that there is no consequence for doctors that are using these pills for legitimate medical reasons, like an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage,” he said.
Warren Fain, co-coordinator of the Citizens For Pro-Life Action McLennan County, shared his support for this new law.
“It lets women and their doctors know that to go and seek out abortion drugs from out of state to be mailed into them is a violation of the state law, and that hopefully it reinforces the idea that every life is precious,” Fain said.
Some states do have shield laws in place that protect physicians and pharmacies, but they could still face lawsuits for mailing abortion medication into Texas.
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