Travis County Judge Jessica Mangrum granted the injunction in Zurawski vs. State of Texas, writing that physicians can use their “good faith judgement” in providing emergency abortions to patients.
Physicians who perform an abortion outside of the state’s “life-threatening” exemption can have their medical license revoked, facing thousands of dollars in fines and up to 99 years in prison.
First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster said in a statement that the state’s appeal was a response to “an activist Austin judge’s attempt to override Texas abortion laws.”
Molly Duane, senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement that the state’s appeal is “appalling” and makes it clear that the term ”pro-life” is a misnomer.
Seema Mohapatra, a health law professor at Southern Methodist University, said women testifying about their own experiences being denied or forced to delay an abortion made the case compelling.
Kamyon Conner, executive director of Texas Equal Access Fund, said pregnant people shouldn’t be forced to travel hundreds of miles to get life-saving care or have to put their lives at risk waiting.