As the landscape of reproductive healthcare continues to evolve, the state’s stringent abortion laws are posing significant challenges for medical professionals and threatening the quality of care for pregnant women. Dr. Emily Briggs, an obstetrician and family physician in central Texas, expresses deep concern about how these laws hinder comprehensive maternity care.
With the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, Texas joined twenty other states in banning or severely restricting abortion access. Currently, violating Texas’ abortion law is classified as a felony, creating a climate of fear among healthcare providers. Although no physician has been prosecuted thus far, the ambiguity of the legislation raises serious concerns about how doctors interact with their patients.
Briggs describes the situation as precarious: “Because I personally, as a family physician, could face losing my license, I could face life in prison, I could face huge fines, just for having a conversation with my patient about evidence-based care.” Such fears are echoed across the medical community, where the prospect of prosecution has led many hospitals to mandate that physicians consult with legal teams when treating complicated pregnancies or dealing with miscarriages.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by alarming statistics. Following the enactment of a new law in 2022 that bans all abortions from conception—except when the mother’s life is at immediate risk—the number of OB-GYN residency applicants in Texas plummeted by 16% last year. “Future obstetricians are acknowledging the complexity of the rules in Texas,” Briggs states. “Not only do they not want to train here, but that also means that they won’t want to practice here.”
Dr. Adrianne Smith, who transferred from Texas to the University of New Mexico Hospital, recounts a haunting experience from her final cases in Texas involving a young woman who fell gravely ill after attempting to terminate her pregnancy with an unregulated medication obtained from Mexico. Reflecting on the case, Smith recalls, “He [her supervising physician] looked at me and said, ‘The attorney general is looking to make an example out of somebody. And you don’t want to be that case.’” This moment crystallized the chilling reality that criminalization loomed over her professional judgment.
Dr. Eve Espey, chair of the OB-GYN department at the University of New Mexico, points to the repercussions of Texas’ restrictive laws on medical training. “Residents lack the opportunity to learn trauma-informed care and how to diagnose pregnancy complications in the first and second trimesters,” she explains. The training necessary for certified OB-GYNs across the country is increasingly inaccessible in Texas, forcing residents to leave the state for essential rotations that last only two to four weeks—a timeframe deemed insufficient for comprehensive learning.
With fewer physicians willing to practice in Texas and a diminished pool of trained OB-GYNs, the implications for maternal healthcare are dire. Dr. Briggs urges lawmakers to collaborate with medical professionals to rectify the situation, fearing that continued neglect could have devastating outcomes. “We lose physicians in Texas, we lose healthy mothers, we lose families in general. It’s already a daunting decision to become pregnant,” she warns. “If something medically complex occurs, you could lose your life and not receive the care that you deserve. Why would anyone stay for that?”
As the state grapples with the far-reaching consequences of its restrictive abortion laws, the need for a dialogue between lawmakers and healthcare providers has never been more urgent. Ensuring safe, accessible, and comprehensive care for all women must remain a top priority as Texas navigates these challenging waters.
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