Thirteen Texas women are suing the state after being denied emergency abortion care under the state's anti-abortion laws. One of the plaintiffs, Samantha Casiano, was forced to carry a nonviable pregnancy to term in March, resulting in a three-pound baby who died shortly after birth. During a harrowing court testimony in Austin on July 19, Ms. Casiano and two other plaintiffs described their traumatic experiences and the state's failure to provide adequate care. After giving her testimony, Casiano vomited on the stand. The Center for Reproductive Rights Texas filed a lawsuit on behalf of women to clarify emergency medical exceptions in Texas' anti-abortion laws, which have confused healthcare providers due to conflicting exemptions and fear of criminal penalties. The state's attorneys have tried to dismiss the case, claiming the women lack standing, but the plaintiffs argue that the anti-abortion laws directly led to their suffering.
