Medical Exceptions to U.S. State Abortion Bans: Cases and Complaints
Medical Exceptions to State Abortion Bans
Representing patients denied abortion care despite facing severe and dangerous pregnancy complications, the Center’s cases seek to clarify medical exceptions to U.S. state laws that have outlawed abortion and put health, lives and fertility at risk.
Abortion is a standard, necessary and life-saving procedure crucial in treating many dangerous medical conditions that arise during pregnancy. But in states that have criminalized abortion, patients facing severe and dangerous pregnancy complications are being denied medically necessary abortion care—even when their health, lives and future fertility are at risk.
The Center for Reproductive Rights has filed lawsuits and complaints in several states on behalf of women who were denied abortion care despite such serious complications, and physicians who are unable to provide the medically necessary abortion care their patients need because of the harsh criminal, financial, and professional penalties they face.
In filing these legal actions, the Center is seeking to clarify the medical exceptions to the states’ extreme abortion bans so pregnant people in dire situations can receive the care they need and avoid risks to their health, lives and future fertility, and so doctors can use their best medical judgment to treat their patients without fear of reprisal.
Read about the cases and complaints:
Zurawski v. State of Texas
This case is brought on behalf of 20 Texas women denied abortion care despite severe pregnancy complications and two OB-GYNs.
Cox v. Texas
Kate Cox, whose pregnancy has a fatal diagnosis, seeks an emergency abortion to protect her health, life and future fertility.
Idaho, Tennessee and Oklahoma Complaints
These complaints were filed on behalf of eight pregnant women denied abortion care, four physicians, and an Idaho medical association.
Texas EMTALA Complaints
Complaints against two Texas hospitals that turned away women seeking treatment for life-threatening ectopic pregnancies.
Voices from Abortion Ban States
Center plaintiffs speak out about how they were denied essential abortion care—even though their health, lives and future fertility were at risk.
U.S. State Abortion Laws
Find out where abortion is illegal, and where it’s protected with this interactive tool, updated in real time.
Denied abortion care?
The Center for Reproductive Rights is dedicated to helping all people access abortion in their communities, including people who are denied care while facing pregnancy complications. If you have been denied care and want to speak to a lawyer about your options, please reach out to [email protected].
