**Texas Abortion Laws Put Pregnant Women in Danger**
**Doctors Speak Out Against Restrictive Legislation**
In a recent episode of "60 Minutes," doctors have sounded the alarm about the dangerous consequences of Texas' strict abortion laws. The laws, which went into effect in September 2021, have severely restricted access to abortion in the state, leading to delays in care and even forcing some women to travel out of state to seek the procedure.
**Delayed Care and Health Risks**
Under the new laws, abortions are banned after six weeks of pregnancy, a time when many women do not even know they are pregnant. As a result, women are forced to wait weeks or even months to obtain an abortion, which can increase the risks of complications and health problems.
Delaying an abortion can lead to a higher risk of infection, hemorrhage, and other life-threatening complications. In some cases, women may even be forced to carry their pregnancy to term against their will, which can have long-term physical and psychological consequences.
**Lack of Access to Essential Healthcare**
The Texas abortion laws have also created significant barriers to access for women in need of abortion care. Many clinics have been forced to close or reduce their services, and those that remain open are often overwhelmed with patients.
As a result, women are facing long wait times, transportation difficulties, and financial burdens to obtain an abortion. This lack of access disproportionately affects low-income women and women of color, who are more likely to face barriers to healthcare.
**Doctors' Concerns**
Doctors have been outspoken in their criticism of the Texas abortion laws, arguing that they put pregnant women's health and well-being at risk. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has condemned the laws as "a grave threat to women's health."
Dr. Bhavik Kumar, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Austin, Texas, told "60 Minutes" that the laws have forced him to make difficult decisions about his patients' care. "I've had to turn away patients who are 16 weeks pregnant and need an abortion because of the law," he said. "It's heartbreaking."
**Conclusion**
Texas' strict abortion laws are putting pregnant women's health and well-being at risk. Doctors and healthcare providers are sounding the alarm about the dangers of these laws, which are restricting access to essential healthcare and making it more difficult for women to obtain safe and legal abortions.
It is crucial that these laws be repealed or amended to ensure that women in Texas have access to the healthcare they need, including safe and legal abortion.
