This is why that Texas anti-abortion law is so incredibly draconian. Now women not only won't be able to get abortions, they won't get other vital medical services from Dr. Theodore Herring.
Texas has suspended the medical license of an abortion doctor who failed to comply with the strict regulations under the state’s new omnibus anti-abortion law. Dr. Theodore Herring, a medical professional who has been licensed for nearly 40 years, has been deemed a threat to public health. He’s the first doctor who faces disciplinary action over failing to comply withharsh and unnecessary new requirements that went into effect in November.
Texas’ new law requires abortion doctors to enter into a partnership with a hospital within 30 miles of their clinic, just in case one of their patients experiences serious complications from an abortion procedure and needs to be transferred there. But many abortion providers, including Herring, have struggled to find hospitals that are willing to partner with them.
Herring continued to provide abortion care even though he was unable to get admitting privileges. Now, according to the state, the procedures he performed after November are considered to be illegal. The Texas Medical Board announced Herring’s suspension on Friday, saying that he would “pose a threat to public welfare” by continuing to practice medical care. The state’s health department also revoked the license of Herring’s Houston-area abortion clinic, forcing it to immediately shut down.
Hospitals shut him out and he is now retroactively deemed to be a criminal. Meanwhile, the women he served are left without any options whatsoever for medical care, and after they have those babies, they've got no health care either, thanks to Texas' failure to expand Medicaid.
Meanwhile, Greg Abbott is on the campaign trail with Ted Nugent. Whatever Wendy Davis' failings may be, I would advise Texas women to fight hard for her if they want to be considered something besides chattel.
