Texas Catholic Voice July 2022

On Tuesday, July 26, the Supreme Court issued the final judgement in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and one day later Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an updated advisory stating that the Human Life Protection Act will become effective on Aug. 25, 2022.

There has been much misinformation regarding the impact of this law on women’s health, particularly regarding ectopic pregnancies. In Texas, the definition of abortion does not include the removal of an ectopic pregnancy, nor does it apply to the removal of a deceased unborn child after a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) occurs. There is also no punishment, civil nor criminal, for a pregnant woman upon whom an abortion is performed.  

The Church is committed to providing compassion and assistance to any woman facing a difficult pregnancy.

The TCCB policy staff continue to work with coalition partners and legislators to address the needs of women and their families in the upcoming legislative session. In particular, we are supporting greater access to pre-natal care, extension of Medicaid benefits to one-year post-partum, and closing the insurance coverage gap.

We also continue to work and pray for the conversion of hearts and minds, recognizing that, while elective abortion is illegal in Texas, it remains legal elsewhere in America. Some states are working to lift restrictions and amend state constitutions to protect so-called abortion rights.

The fight is not over, but every year thousands of babies will be spared in Texas thanks to the Supreme Court’s decision, the work of the Texas legislature, Governor Abbott, and millions of pro-life Texans who continue to serve families in need in Texas.