General Discussion

The bill has several requirements for the medical provider to keep a complete, fairly intrusive record of every test (and certain tests are specified) and every date for any treatment or procedure. I assume these files can then be subpoenaed by the vigilante filing a lawsuit to prove that the provider did an abortion at 6 1/2 weeks instead of 6 weeks. Abortion providers simply will not take that risk and thus no abortion for anyone.

In addition to prohibiting most abortions, this bill requires doctors to lie to women by telling them the following:

(i) the risks of infection and hemorrhage;
(ii) potential danger to a subsequent pregnancy and infertility;and
(iii) the possibility of increased risk of breast cancer following an induced abortion and the natural protective effect of a completed pregnancy in avoiding breast cancer;

There is no correlation between abortion and infertility or cancer. Of course, Texas abortion providers are essentially out of business as of today, but the fact that lies are part of a law is truly galling. The next attack is already coming. The legislature is getting ready to pass a bill banning medical abortions and preventing the pills from being mailed in Texas. After that, I suspect all birth control products will be on the agenda.