Paxton Threatens Houston Hospitals Over Life-Saving Abortion

In the aftermath of a Texas judge’s decision permitting a woman to undergo an emergency abortion, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a cautionary warning to three Houston hospitals, emphasizing the potential consequences if they proceed with the procedure, as first reported by The Houston Chronicle.

In a letter addressed to Houston Methodist, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, and Texas Children’s Hospital on Thursday, Paxton stressed the importance of understanding the long-term implications should they permit such an abortion at their facilities.

In the letter, Paxton calls Travis County District Judge Maya Gurra Gamble, an “activist” judge who is not medically qualified to decide whether Kate Cox, a 31-year-old woman from Dallas, has a “life-threatening” condition. Cox stated that her health and fertility were at risk due to a fatal fetal diagnosis, and Judge Guerra Gamble granted Dr. Kamala Karsan, Cox’s Houston physician, the right to perform the abortion without legal repercussions.

The “activist” judge’s order, Paxton said, “does not insulate hospitals, doctors or anyone else” from facing civil or criminal legal consequences under the state’s overlapping abortion bans that invite enforcement from local prosecutors, Paxton’s office and everyday citizens. 

Marc Hearron, senior counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights, accused Paxton of resorting to fearmongering.

“Rather than respect the judiciary, he is misrepresenting the court’s order,” Hearron said in an emailed statement to The Houston Chronicle. “He attacks the judge who rules against him as an ‘activist judge’. He is trying to bulldoze the legal system to make sure Kate and pregnant women like her continue to suffer.”

According to The Houston Chronicle, Houston Methodist distanced itself from the matter, stating they were not involved. The Woman’s Hospital of Texas acknowledged Paxton’s letter and is monitoring the legal case. The third hospital did not provide a comment in response to a request.

RA Staff

Written by RA News staff.

Recent Posts

FBI Probes Minneapolis School Shooting as Anti-Catholic Hate Crime

The FBI has opened a hate crime and domestic terrorism investigation into Wednesday’s school shooting…

2 hours ago

Patrick Signals Final Week as Second Special Session Winds Down

When Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick suggested in early August that the Legislature was entering its…

6 hours ago

Abbott Targets Voter Registration Change Passed Earlier This Year

Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking to roll back a voter registration provision he signed into…

1 day ago

House Democrats’ frustration with STAAR bill highlights divide over how new test should look

Standing across from House Democrats on the chamber floor Tuesday, Rep. Brad Buckley defended his…

1 day ago

Texas House Approves Bill Aimed to Limit City, County Property Taxes

DALLAS — The Texas House pushed forward a proposal Monday aimed at containing property tax…

2 days ago

Texas Bill Could Block Public Access to Uvalde Shooting Records

A new proposal making its way through the Texas Legislature could significantly limit public access…

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.