Multiple advocacy groups supporting abortion rights filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging several Texas laws restricting access to abortion, which they say particularly impact low-income people, women of color and other marginalized communities.
The lawsuit targets laws that the advocates say promote the distribution of inaccurate information to patients, shame women who want abortions and create bureaucratic barriers to the operation. Citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that blocked a 2013 Texas bill creating extra barriers to abortion, the advocates are attempting to retroactively apply the ruling to Texas abortion-related laws going back to 1999. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Austin.
The plaintiffs in the case are Whole Woman’s Health Alliance, the Afiya Center, Fund Texas Choice, Lilith Fund, Texas Equal Access Fund, West Fund and Dr. Bhavik Kumar.
The Supreme Court ruled that states have a right to regulate abortions, but cannot “impose an undue burden on abortion access,” the lawsuit states. The lawsuit says Texas has “failed to institute these parameters.”
This developing story will be updated.
Disclosure: The Afiya Center has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
