Texas state Sen. Bryan Hughes, who previously sponsored the state’s near-total abortion ban, is now leading efforts to clarify when doctors can legally terminate pregnancies to save mothers’ lives, NPR reports.

“Everybody agrees that the life of the mother should be protected,” said Hughes, the lead sponsor of the new Life of the Mother Act. The bill aims to specify that doctors can perform abortions when a woman’s life is at risk, even if the danger isn’t “imminent.”

Medical Crisis Prompts Legislative Action

Since Texas implemented strict abortion restrictions in 2021, the state has witnessed rising maternal mortality rates. According to the Gender Equity Policy Institute, the risk of maternal death in Texas is 155% higher than in California.

ProPublica has documented several women who died after being unable to receive timely abortions, along with increasing rates of sepsis among women experiencing second-trimester pregnancy losses.

“We warned our colleagues that this would happen,” said Democratic State Senator Carol Alvarado, who supports the bipartisan bill. “Let’s figure out what we need to do to give our physicians clarity.”

The bill has passed the Texas Senate unanimously and now heads to the House, with Gov. Greg Abbott signaling support. However, medical groups remain divided on whether the legislation will effectively address the crisis.

Dr. Todd Ivey, a Houston obstetrician, believes the bill could help physicians feel “more assured in providing safe care,” though he acknowledges “it’s not a perfect bill.”

Read more at NPR