Senate Rewrites Pro-Life Bill to Protect Moms in Medical Emergencies

Texas senators amended a bill today that will protect pregnant women facing medical emergencies. The new language of Senate Bill 31 would help health care professionals treat serious pregnancy complications without adding loopholes that would harm preborn babies.

Democrats and the media spread the lie over recent years that abortion bans prevent doctors from intervening in emergencies. This caused a handful of physicians to needlessly delay critical care for pregnant women, leading to the deaths of the mother and baby.

Now, Texas officials are seeking to set the record straight with the Life of the Mother Act (Senate Bill 31 and House Bill 44). Senator Bryan Hughes has been spearheading efforts to help hospital staff know the law and act with confidence during pregnancy-related emergencies.

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After hearing Pro-Life concerns about unintended consequences of the original version of the bill, Hughes wrote a committee substitute that does the following:

Restores the provision that all medical emergencies be “life-threatening” in order to qualify for the exception to Pro-Life laws;
Explains that a threat to a woman’s life does not have to first cause her harm before medical professionals can intervene to prevent future injury; (in other words, the harm does not need to be imminent, only foreseeable);
Defines the term “life-threatening” used in Texas’ Pro-Life laws;
Asserts that amendments made to state laws in the bill are not intended to be used to prosecute women seeking abortions; and
Elaborates that all changes made to state laws in the bill are intended to be consistent with recent Pro-Life rulings from the Supreme Court of Texas on the topic.

Medical professionals should not worry about lawsuits, criminal prosecution, or loss of license when using reasonable medical judgment and trying to follow Pro-Life policies, according to this bill. The measure also notes that treating a woman during an emergency or discussing the case with other medical professionals does not equal aiding and abetting an abortion.

If passed, OB/GYNs would be required to take a continuing education course covering:

Differences between abortion and treatment for ectopic pregnancies or miscarriages;
State law’s complete protection for a mother’s life in emergencies; and
Legal distinctions between medical emergencies and prohibited elective abortions.

The Life of the Mother Act will prevent delays in medical care and save lives by ensuring that doctors are equipped with accurate knowledge of the state’s Pro-Life laws.

Texas Right to Life is thankful for Senator Bryan Hughes’ work on this committee substitute and his dedication to addressing concerns raised by Pro-Life Texans. Texas Right to Life will continue correcting the misleading narratives in the media and urging lawmakers to pass new Pro-Life bills that will stop illegal abortions and help pregnant women.