Women who sued Texas after being denied abortions say reproductive rights are their top election issue
On the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, women who sued over exceptions to Texas' abortion ban say reproductive rights are a top election issue for them.
On the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, women who sued the state of Texas in a high-profile lawsuit over exceptions to its abortion ban say their experiences have made abortion a defining issue for them heading into the November election.
The Texas Supreme Court last month, in Zurawski v. State of Texas, ruled against a group of women who had sued after they were denied abortions despite serious health complications during pregnancy. The group, represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights, grew to include a total of 20 women and two obstetrician-gynecologists who sought more specific guidelines about what situations qualify for medical emergency exceptions to Texas’ strict ban.
The state Supreme Court rejected their challenge, however, saying that Texas law does not permit abortion even when a fetus has a severe abnormality, and that it is up to doctors to determine when terminating a pregnancy is warranted under the law.
Samantha Casiano, one of the plaintiffs, said the experience of being denied an abortion brought home the reality of how severe Texas’ restrictions are.
“Now, everyone in my family has to vote,” she said. “If you’ve never voted before, you’re going to vote this year. I will drive you there. It’s just so important to me.”
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