Texas’s lawmakers are promoting the so-called ‘Life of the Mother Act’ as a way to clarify the state’s near-total abortion ban and protect the life of pregnant women. While the bill is viewed as a step forward, providing physicians more autonomy in emergency situations, it still remains flawed.
What Does the ‘Life of the Mother Act’ Aim to Do?
Texas’s current law on abortions is considered confusing for patients, medical professionals, and even legal experts. It offers exceptions for “a life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, caused by, or arising from a pregnancy,” but fails to provide clarity on when those exceptions are applicable.
Promoted by Texas Senator Bryan Hughes and State Rep. Charlie Geren, the ‘Life of the Mother Act’ keeps the ban on abortions intact but clarifies the language of the law. It also expands the exceptions to cases in which major bodily function, including fertility, is at risk. According to Hughes, the goal of the bill was to “make the statutes crystal clear,” and ensure “there is no excuse, no delay in treating moms that need help and making sure that docs know what the law is.”
The ‘Life of the Mother Act’ Fails to Address Nonviable Pregnancies
‘Life of the Mother Act’ has a lot of supporters while also receiving plenty of criticism for failing to address nonviable pregnancies. Nonviable pregnancies don’t pose an immediate risk of death for pregnant women in some cases, but they can still cause complications for long-term health and cause mental distress.
There has been a push for the ‘Life of the Mother Act’ to include exceptions for nonviable pregnancies, but Republican lawmakers showed no interest in doing that. Democrats, including Fort Worth Rep. Nicole Collier, expressed sympathy but said that “the way we’re made up, the makeup of the body, this is what we have.”
The ‘Life of the Mother Act’ Comes with Further Concerns
‘Life of the Mother Act’ comes with further concerns. Some advocates are arguing that the language of the bill could resurrect the century-old laws that penalize women who have abortions as well as those assisting them in any way, be it by providing funds or giving advice.
Despite its flaws and concerns surrounding it, the bill is on track to pass this spring. It remains to be seen if it’s for better or worse.
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