TEXAS – The Texas Supreme Court will hear a case brought by women whose lives were threatened by being deprived of the option of a safe abortion.

After the Supreme Court ruled there was no right to an abortion, Texas law banned most abortions, even in cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s health was threatened by continuing the pregnancy.

“This case is about whether Texas recognizes the right to life of a woman threatened by a dangerous pregnancy,” said Jason Smith, a Progress Texas board member and Texas appellate lawyer who has submitted an amicus brief. “Texas’ extreme abortion laws threaten the lives of any woman who faces a dangerous pregnancy. We fear the Republican Texas Supreme Court will listen to the Republican base instead of protecting Texas women as required by the Constitution."

The case involves Amanda Zurawski, joined by several other plaintiffs, who endured dangerous pregnancies and brought suit against the State of Texas to have its “no exceptions” abortion ban declared unenforceable. After hearing testimony and evidence, a state judge temporarily enjoined the State from enforcing the abortion bans against pregnant people who need abortions to preserve their life or health (including their fertility).

“The Texas Supreme Court must put medical decisions back in the hands of patients and their doctors, not politicians." said Kathleen Thompson, executive director at Progress Texas. “Texans deserve care, not criminalization. Denial of life-saving health care must end. Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is freedom. Abortion is a human right.”

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