TX ABORTION LAWSUIT- A group of five women and two doctors has sued the State of Texas over its abortion bans, and are asking a judge to clarify when abortions can be provided under the state’s “medical emergency” exception under current law. Amanda Zurawski is one of five women suing the state of Texas. They were denied abortions despite being diagnosed with conditions during their pregnancies that put their lives at risk.
“I needed an abortion to protect my life and to protect the lives of my future babies that I dream and hope I can still have some day,” Zurkawski said.
The plaintiff's claim Texas’ current abortion bans include conflicting language that have made it difficult for doctors to provide abortion care under the state’s “medical emergency” exceptions. They are asking a district court in Austin to affirm that state law allows doctors to provide pregnant persons with abortions if there’s an emergent medical condition that poses a risk of death or a risk to their health.
TX NURSE’S BILL - A West Texas lawmaker is pushing a bill that he says would expand healthcare access in rural areas and address the state’s shortage of doctors. Texas State Senator César Blanco, a Democrat says the “HEAL Texans Act” would loosen state rules to let more nurse practitioners serve as primary care doctors.
“It removes barriers. Right now, many physicians charge nurse practitioners fees in order for them to practice. We will be liberating from that requirement and those obstacles,” Blanco explained.
Blanco says the quote “number one issue” he hears about from his constituents in West Texas is the region’s lack of healthcare options.
