Texas Bishops highly concerned with ruling that puts women at grave risk

AUSTIN — The US Supreme Court has decided, in a 5-3 decision, to strike down key provisions of Texas HB2, a law that protects women’s safety while seeking an abortion.

The Texas State Legislature overwhelmingly approved HB2.  The Texas Catholic Conference supported the passage of this pro-life law and submitted an Amicus brief to the court in support of the provisions challenged by Whole Women’s Heath. Thousands of Texas Catholics have attended rallies and hearings in support of this bill. Its main purpose is to secure surgical center, health and safety standards for women seeking an abortion.  Their lives are as precious as those of their children.

Surgical abortion is an invasive procedure that poses numerous and serious medical complications.  The state has a legitimate interest in ensuring the maximum level of safety for the woman subjected to the procedure and that viable emergency care is available if complications such as hemorrhage, infection, uterine perforation, blood clots, cervical tears, or allergic reactions occur. It is irresponsible for physicians to perform this procedure without being able to provide follow-up treatment for the associated complications.

This ruling allows abortion doctors to continue to provide abortion in Texas without providing the needed safety provisions at clinics or follow-up care in hospitals. The Catholic Church in Texas, in communion with millions of Catholics across America and the world, will continue its efforts to protect life and human dignity from conception to natural death.