Medical Exceptions to State Abortion Bans
These cases seek to clarify medical exceptions to U.S. state abortion bans so that patients and doctors can receive and provide emergency care.
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.
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].
Cases & complaintsFeatured cases
Seeking Clarity on Emergency Exceptions to Texas’s Abortion Bans
Cox v. Texas: The Case in Depth
Learn more
Voices from Abortion Ban States
After Roe Fell: Abortion Laws by State
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