Texas Governor Prohibits Medically Unnecessary Procedures, Including Abortions, to Save Resources During COVID-19 Pandemic

Texas Governor Greg Abbott

On March 22, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an order adding Texas to the list of states prohibiting elective abortions during the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure personal protective equipment such as surgical masks are available for increasingly-strained hospitals.

From the governor's press release:

"Under this order, the Governor directed all licensed health care professionals and facilities to postpone all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately, medically necessary to correct a serious medical condition or to preserve the life of a patient who without immediate performance of the surgery or procedure would be at risk for serious adverse medical consequences or death, as determined by the patient’s physician."

In response statements from abortion clinics claiming that their elective abortion procedures are "essential healthcare" which should continue during this event, Texas Attorney General Paxton made it clear that abortions are included in the temporary ban:

"This prohibition applies throughout the State and to all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary, including routine dermatological, ophthalmological, and dental procedures, as well as most scheduled healthcare procedures that are not immediately medically necessary such as orthopedic surgeries or any type of abortion that is not medically necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother."

Violations of this executive order could lead to $1,000 fines or 180 days in jail. Hopefully, abortionists will understand that by at least delaying procedures they can help doctors save lives.

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