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Human Rights Research Center

Texas Supreme Court Denies Abortion Exception Despite Extreme Circumstances

December 13, 2023


Demonstrators march and gather near the state capitol following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Friday, June 24, 2022, in Austin, Texas. [Credit: AP Photo | Eric Gay | File]

The article cited from the Associated Press


HRRC emphasizes the need to address the complexities faced by women seeking abortion care in states with stringent laws and the impact of these restrictions on women's health.


News Brief


The Texas Supreme Court rejected Kate Cox's request for an exception under the state's restrictive abortion ban, highlighting the stringent criteria women must meet to obtain the procedure. Despite facing a fetal condition, four emergency room visits, and risks of uterine rupture, Cox did not qualify for an abortion in Texas. The court's nine Republican justices emphasized that such laws reflect legislative choices and must be respected.


Approximately 700 women nationally succumb to pregnancy or delivery complications annually, prompting doctors' concerns about the potential escalation of risks associated with delayed abortions, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy. The growing trend of abortion delays post the Roe v. Wade overturns, part of the reason is the increasing necessity of seeking care out of state.

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