Texas Medical Board

Abortion is legal in Texas only when the life of the mother or a “major bodily function” is at risk. Doctors, who could face prison time for performing an abortion, have been seeking clarification on the exception.

Raynaldo Rivera Ortiz Jr. was convicted earlier this year for injecting dangerous drugs into patient IV bags, leading to the death of a co-worker and causing numerous patients to suffer cardiac emergencies.

The board's guidance is aimed at providing some clarity to physicians working within the narrow emergency medical exception to Texas' abortion ban.

The Texas Medical Board is meeting Friday to consider rules to guide doctors on the exceptions in the state’s abortion ban. The rules could clarify when doctors can legally perform emergency abortions, but confusion and fear over prosecution persists.

The state agency will collect public comment on the proposed rule for at least 30 days before it can be considered for final approval.

The state agency is responding to a petition from two attorneys to clear up ambiguity about when emergency abortions are allowed

Women’s health care providers are holding back when counseling pregnant patients about treatment options, doctors report pharmacists are hesitant to distribute some prescriptions, and OB-GYN training is diminishing for Texas medical school students.

As the medical and mental health needs of people affected by Harvey become apparent, Texas has made it easier for out-of-state health workers to come lend a hand.

From Texas Standard: Texas has more than 150 state agencies -- everything from the Affordable Housing Corporation to the Workforce Commission. Do these...