On Friday, the Texas Supreme Court temporarily halted a pregnant woman, Kate Cox, from obtaining an emergency abortion following a request from the state’s attorney general.
This legal battle serves as a crucial test case after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to abortion, allowing states like Texas to enact near-complete bans.
The Texas court’s decision responded to a petition by Attorney General Ken Paxton, administratively staying a lower court’s ruling that permitted Cox’s emergency abortion.
Kate Cox, 31, sought authorization for the abortion due to a diagnosis of trisomy 18 in her fetus, a genetic abnormality with potential complications.
Cox, about 20 weeks pregnant, highlighted the risk to her ability to have more children if she continues the pregnancy, as a third cesarean section could jeopardize it.
The Center for Reproductive Rights expressed concerns about potential justice delays in this case.
District Court Judge Maya Guerra Gamble had previously sided with Cox, issuing an order specific to her without broader implications for abortion access.
