The story of Kate Cox in Texas is the perfect example of many aspects of our society that are just wrong. This is a pregnant woman whose OB-GYN has told her that her unborn child suffers from a major deformity and will probably not survive. The OB-GYN further advised her that she should have an abortion not only because of the condition of the 20 week old fetus but also because not aborting this fetus asap could impair her ability to have another child…in other words, not aborting now will affect her fertility for future pregnancies. At issue is the Texas State law relating to abortions which says: “all abortions in the State of Texas are banned unless there is a LIFE-THREATENING PHYSICAL CONDITION AGGRAVATED BY, CAUSED BY, OR ARISING FROM A PREGNANCY”. The lower court allowed her abortion on that basis and opined that “to rule otherwise would be cruel”. The very next day the Texas Attorney General referred that decision to the Texas Supreme Court and they set aside the lower court’s ruling. The justices–with absolutely no medical training and no review of any medical reports–sided with the State by overturning the lower court. Mrs. Cox was required to travel out of state to get the medical care she needed. All nine members of the Texas Supreme Court are elected Republicans. They acted immediately, decisively and incorrectly to the situation. The problem with this abortion law is similar to many other abortion laws. It is so extreme as to totally ban abortion–even when necessary to save the life of the mother. The questions must be asked of members of the Court: “If this woman was you, your wife or daughter–would your decision be the same? Would you require out of state travel to find medical care?” The irony is that while Texas is severely limiting abortions it is simultaneously reducing its state aid to lower income citizens. How do you think more babies among the poor will impact diminishing resources for the welfare family? Texas is the extreme but there will be other states (like Kentucky) where laws will be tested and the reflection on strict anti-abortion lawmakers will cause a major loss of votes next year. The people will speak and the GOP will lose. But the intervening pain and suffering will be tremendous, unconscionable and totally unnecessary.
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