TEXAS — Citing the recent deaths of a Texas woman and a teenager involving pregnancy complications, more than 100 OB-GYNs from across the state signed a letter urging lawmakers to amend strict abortion laws.

What You Need To Know

  • Over 100 OB-GYNs from across Texas signed a letter last week calling for lawmakers to reform the state's strict abortion laws

  • The letter pointed to the recent deaths of 28-year-old Josseli Barnica and 18-year-old Nevaeh Crain as examples of preventable deaths resulting from the state’s abortion ban

  • The state’s abortion ban is the strictest in the country, and doctors who violate it could face life in prison. Many doctors have considered leaving the state in the years since the ban has been introduced due to confusion around the exception to abortion

  • OB-GYNs in the letter call for a change in legislation, saying the current law restricts their ability to provide quality care

The letter, addressed to “elected officials and policymakers in Texas,” pointed to the recent deaths of 28-year-old Josseli Barnica and 18-year-old Nevaeh Crain as examples of preventable deaths resulting from the state’s abortion ban.

“Sadly, Josseli and Nevaeh’s deaths were likely preventable. As reported by ProPublica, the evidence is clear. The nature of the strict abortion ban in Texas does not allow us as medical professionals to do our jobs. The law does not allow Texas women to get the lifesaving care they need and threatens physicians with life imprisonment and loss of licensure for doing what is often medically necessary for the patient’s health and future fertility,” a portion of the letter read.

Barnica died in 2021 after waiting 40 hours for abortion care. Doctors told her they couldn’t intervene in her miscarriage until the fetus’ heart stopped, per Texas abortion law. She died from an infection three days after giving birth.

Crain died last year after attempts to get care at three different emergency rooms within the span of 12 hours.

“The news of Josseli Barnica and Nevaeh Crain's deaths as a result of pregnancy complications are heartbreaking stories that will continue to echo throughout our state and our nation,” the letter reads.

According to Texas abortion law enacted in 2022, patients “must have a life-threatening condition and be at risk of death or ‘substantial impairment of a major bodily function’ if the abortion is not performed.”

The state’s abortion ban is the strictest in the country, and doctors who violate it could face life in prison. Many doctors have considered leaving the state in the years since the ban has been introduced due to confusion around the exception to abortion 

OB-GYNs in the letter call for a change in legislation, saying the current law restricts their ability to provide their patients with quality care.

“Texas needs a change. A change in laws. A change in how we legislate medical decisions that should be between a patient, their family, and their doctor,” the letter reads. “We urge policymakers across Texas to do something to make sure this never happens again. Healthcare is on the ballot. We will continue to speak out to ensure our patients get the best care possible.”