(NewsNation) — The Texas House passed a bill earlier this week with a focus on restricting the use of abortion medication in the state.
Dubbed a “bounty-hunting scheme” by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, the legislation would allow individuals connected to an abortion the ability to sue doctors, distributors, and manufacturers anywhere in the country for $100,000. In addition, anybody in contact with the medication would be liable.
Even individuals who had nothing to do with the abortion can take legal action.
“H.B. 7 exports Texas’ extreme abortion ban far beyond state borders,” said Blair Wallace, ACLU of Texas.
“It will fuel fear among manufacturers and providers nationwide, while encouraging neighbors to police one another’s reproductive lives, further isolating pregnant Texans, and punishing the people who care for them.”
Since the state’s abortion ban was introduced, pregnancies in Texas have become more dangerous for women. ProPublica revealed that the rate of sepsis has increased 50% for women hospitalized who lost their pregnancies in the second trimester.
“H.B. 7 would be especially harmful to rural Texans, who already face major barriers to health care access—including abortion,” added Kamyon Conner, Texas Equal Access Fund. “In many parts of the state, clinics have closed, hospitals are miles away, and public transportation is limited or nonexistent.”