By now I’m sure you’ve heard the heartbreaking case in Texas. Kate Cox, a pregnant woman, appealed for an emergency authorization for an abortion, after her fetus was diagnosed with trisomy 18, a genetic abnormality that usually results in miscarriage, still birth, or death shortly after birth. She cited that continuing with this pregnancy could harm her ability to have another child, too.
After a lower court ruling allowing her to obtain one, the Attorney General sued to stop it and the Texas Supreme Court allowed it. At 20 weeks, she doesn’t have much time, and has now left the state to obtain the procedure.
Since the disastrous Dobbs decision last year, the autonomy of women in this country has been severely disrupted. While some states have codified the right to an abortion, others have drastically limited or eliminated it. Texas, in particular, stands out for its harsh stance on women's health.
Governor Abbott's SB8 law, prohibiting abortions after approximately six weeks of pregnancy, has imposed significant burdens and risks on pregnant individuals, even those who meticulously plan and prepare.
Texas laws prevent doctors from performing an abortion unless the life of the patient is at stake, or else they face life in prison and debilitating fines.
The idea that Ms. Cox desperately wants to be a parent, and this law might actually cause her to lose that ability is beyond shocking.
I am proud to be Pro-Choice. I believe in freedom and liberty. This should extend to every single human being around the world. Government should have nothing to do with what a woman does with her body. Period. Men should have nothing to do with a woman's right to do with her body what she wants to do with her body. Period.
With a Democratic House and Senate, Joe Biden and Democratic Leaders failed to codify the right to abortion — a mistake I vow not to make as president.
As we navigate these challenging times, it is crucial to advocate for the protection of reproductive rights and access to comprehensive healthcare. The stories like Kate Cox's underscore the urgency of addressing and rectifying the inadequacies in our current system.
