We find ourselves back in court, just months after our victory at the Supreme Court in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt. This time it’s because Texas has put forward new medically unnecessary rules that would require all women who have an abortion or receive treatment for a miscarriage at any healthcare facility to have to bury or cremate embryonic tissue. This restriction, just like the many before it, all across our nation, does not create any health benefit for women and is strictly designed to limit access to safe, quality abortion care.
So today, with the lead from the Center for Reproductive Rights, we asked Judge Sparks for a temporary restraining order to block the rule from going into effect on Monday, December 19th. Judge Sparks expressed skepticism about the new rules being about the health and safety of women, and felt like it was a reaction from our victory at the Supreme Court under Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt. He suspended the ruling from going into effect until January 6th, which will be after the scheduled trial, January 3-4th, 2017 in Austin, TX.
We will keep saying it over and over again: Women deserve better. We’re confident that our recent victory at the Supreme Court in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt gives us strong ground to stand as we continue to fight these coerced mandates from overzealous politicians that strip personal decisions away from women and families.
For press inquiries, please email [email protected]