The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses is profoundly disappointed that the Supreme Court has yet again allowed Texas Senate Bill 8 to stay in effect in a Friday, December 10 ruling that limited the scope of a lawsuit, Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson, brought by Texas abortion providers. The Supreme Court ruling leaves the law in effect while the lawsuit is heard in a lower court.
Texas law Senate Bill 8, by banning abortion before six weeks from a pregnant woman’s last menstrual cycle, when most women wouldn’t know they are pregnant, effectively bans abortion in Texas. The Supreme Court’s action has effectively overturned the constitutional right to abortion found in Roe v. Wade and put the health of pregnant women at risk.
As we strive for equitable birth outcomes for all that are centered around hearing and valuing the voice of our patients, legislation that prevents choice and denies basic rights runs counter to these efforts, disproportionately impacting communities of color, those with limited resources, and those who are young.
AWHONN opposes legislation and policies that limit a health care provider’s ability to counsel patients as to the full range of options and to provide treatment and/or referrals. Health care decisions are best made within a health care system where providers are allowed to respect the patient’s right to make their own decisions according to their personal values and should not be complicated by restrictive laws.
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