Texas Governor Greg Abbott mandates all health care facilities and professionals to postpone any procedures that are deemed “not medically necessary” as Texas prepares to handle increasing numbers of people diagnosed with Coronavirus.
Governor Abbot’s order to suspend all non-medically necessary procedures is to help healthcare facilities so if it does get worse, which it may, they’ll have more room to further compensate for capacity.
This has led Ken Paxton, who is the Texas attorney general, that all abortion procedures shall come to halt unless the life of the mother is at risk. The attorney general said that the order, set to expire April 21, should also be interpreted to cover abortion clinics in the state.
No one is exempt from the governor’s executive order on medically unnecessary surgeries and procedures, including abortion providers. Those who violate the governor’s order will be met with the full force of the law,
Texas Attorney General Office
This is an amazing thing on two fronts since it preserves medical equipment and resources for those in need, even space if necessary for coronavirus patients. The second is to preserve a baby’s life to still live and hopefully change the mind of those who are wanting an abortion to have a change of heart. Those facilities providing abortions will face jail time up to 6 months and a $1,000 find.
Ohio Response
Texas abortion clinics like Planned Parenthood have not responded, while Ohio abortion clinics have said they will continue giving “essential health care like abortions.”
Under that order, Planned Parenthood can still continue providing essential procedures, including surgical abortion, and our health centers continue to provide services that our patients depend on.
Southwest Ohio Planned Parenthood