Center for Reproductive Rights
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Team-
Today, on behalf of Texas abortion providers-led by Whole
Woman's Health-along with several abortion funds, practical
support networks, doctors, health center staff, and clergy members,
the Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit to block a radical
new Texas law.
Set to take effect September 1, the law bans abortion as early as six
weeks of pregnancy and includes an unprecedented provision that
encourages private individuals-including anti-abortion
protestors with no connection to the patient-to file lawsuits
seeking "enforcement" of the ban. The ban encourages anyone to
essentially act as bounty hunters by awarding $10,000 or more to those
who successfully sue another person for providing or assisting someone
who gets an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.
If the law takes effect, abortion providers, clinic staff, and
abortion funds could be saddled with endless lawsuits that consume
their time and resources and prevent them from providing health care
services, ultimately forcing them to shut down. The law will also
incentivize anyone who disapproves of a patient's
abortion-a relative, an abusive partner, or even a
stranger-to sue the provider and obtain a court order stopping
the abortion.
Lawsuits could be filed against a broad range of people, including: a
person who drives their friend to obtain an abortion; abortion funds
providing financial assistance to patients; health center staff; even
a member of the clergy who counsels or assists an abortion patient.
Approximately 85-90% of people who obtain abortions in Texas are at
least six weeks into pregnancy, meaning this law would prohibit nearly
all abortions in the state. Not to mention, many people do not realize
they are pregnant until after six weeks. Abortion is already extremely
difficult to access in Texas, where patients face countless hurdles,
including a law that forces them to receive in-person, biased
counseling and then wait at least 24 hours before obtaining an
abortion, and a ban on telemedicine for abortion.
This law blatantly violates Texans' constitutional right to privacy
and liberty as established by Roe v. Wade nearly 50 years ago. The law
also violates the constitutional rights of abortion providers and
supporters, including their right to equal protection under the law,
and their First Amendment rights to speech and access to the courts.
With you by our side, we will keep fighting until everyone has access
to safe, legal abortion care. You can learn more about the case and
one of the leading plaintiffs, Whole Woman's Health Alliance, here.
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Sincerely,
Center for Reproductive Rights
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reproductiverights.org
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The Center for Reproductive Rights uses the power of law to advance
reproductive rights as fundamental human rights around the world.
© Center for Reproductive Rights
Center for Reproductive Rights
199 Water St.
New York, NY 10038
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