Texas [US], December 9 (ANI): The Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked a pregnant woman from obtaining an emergency abortion even though her foetus was diagnosed with a ‘fatal genetic condition’, CNN reported.
The court froze the lower court’s ruling that would have allowed Kate Cox — who sued the state seeking a court-ordered abortion — to obtain the procedure.
“Without regard to the merits, the Court administratively stays the district court’s December 7, 2023 order,” the order stated.
The court noted the case would remain pending before them but did not include any timeline on when a full ruling might be issued.
According to CNN, Cox is 20 weeks pregnant and her unborn baby was diagnosed with a fatal genetic condition she says “complications in her pregnancy are putting her health at risk”.
Following the ruling, Cox’s attorney said they remain hopeful the state’s request is quickly rejected.
“We are talking about urgent medical care. Kate is already 20 weeks pregnant,” said Molly Duane, an attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “This is why people should not need to beg for healthcare in a court of law.”
Paxton’s petition stemmed from a ruling on Thursday by a Texas judge who granted a 14-day temporary restraining order against the state’s abortion ban, so Cox could legally terminate her pregnancy.
The decision marked a significant development in the ongoing debate over the state’s medical exception to its controversial ban on abortions after six weeks – one of the strictest in the nation.
Cox sought an emergency hearing to obtain an abortion after learning her unborn baby had trisomy 18, a fatal genetic condition, and is not expected to live more than a few days outside the womb, according to the suit.
Cox, 31, has been to three different emergency rooms in the last month due to severe cramping and unidentifiable fluid leaks, according to her suit.
She has had two prior caesarean surgeries – C-sections – and, the suit said, “continuing the pregnancy puts her at high risk for severe complications threatening her life and future fertility, including uterine rupture and hysterectomy”, CNN reported.
Before the state’s Supreme Court weighed in, attorneys for Cox and the Center for Reproductive Rights — an abortion rights legal group representing Cox — said Paxton’s petition to block her procedure was “stunning” and showed a “disregard for Cox’s life, fertility, and the rule of law.”
The filing by Cox’s side requests the state Supreme Court to reject Paxton’s threat of prosecution of the doctors and anyone else who helps facilitate the abortion.
Molly Duane, Cox’s attorney, couldn’t say, when and where Cox would be getting the abortion, but added that they planned to help get her the care “the fastest way” possible, according to CNN. (ANI)
