Texas Attorney General Orders Abortion Clinics to Close: Abortions are Not “Essential” Surgical Procedures

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today essentially closed down abortion businesses in the state and warned them that they are subject to a new executive order Governor Greg Abbott issued Sunday to end all non-essential surgical procedures. Since no abortions are essential, abortion centers essentially should close down.

Abbott issued a new executive order prohibiting all non-essential medical procedures until the middle of April. The order says that, “beginning now and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on April 21, 2020, all licensed health care professionals and all licensed health care facilities shall postpone all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary to correct a serious medical condition of, or to preserve the life of, a patient who without immediate performance of the surgery or procedure would be at risk for serious adverse medical consequences or death, as determined by the patient’s physician.”

A representative of the governor’s office confirmed to the Associated Press today that the order does apply to abortions: “An Abbott spokesman confirmed that would cover abortion in most cases while the order is in place until April 21.”

Today, Paxton issued a statement warning all licensed health care professionals and all licensed health care facilities, including abortion companies, that, pursuant to Executive Order GA 09 issued by Gov. Greg Abbott, they must postpone all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary.

“This prohibition applies throughout the State and to all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary, including routine dermatological, ophthalmological, and dental procedures, as well as most scheduled healthcare procedures that are not immediately medically necessary such as orthopedic surgeries or any type of abortion that is not medically necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother,” Paxton explained.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has increased demands for hospital beds and has created a shortage of personal protective equipment needed to protect health care professionals and stop transmission of the virus. Postponing surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary will ensure that hospital beds are available for those suffering from COVID-19 and that PPEs are available for health care professionals. Failure to comply with an executive order issued by the governor related to the COVID-19 disaster can result in penalties of up to $1,000 or 180 days of jail time,” he added.

Paton issued a specific warning to abortion companies, saying they will be met with the “full force of the law” is they keep killing babies in non-essential abortions.

“We must work together as Texans to stop the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that our health care professionals and facilities have all the resources they need to fight the virus at this time,” said Attorney General Paxton. “No one is exempt from the governor’s executive order on medically unnecessary surgeries and procedures, including abortion providers. Those who violate the governor’s order will be met with the full force of the law.”

Texas Right to Life officials applauded Abbott and Paxton for ensuring that health care in Texas under the cronoavirus crisis focuses on legitimate emergency care rather than ending the lives of unborn children.

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“The State of Texas has halted most abortions under a new statewide order to conserve medical supplies during the coronavirus pandemic,” the pro-life group said.

“Pro-Life Texans have been appalled that the abortion industry has continued killing preborn children during the outbreak while statewide and local orders have recommended they close. Furthermore, the abortion industry has been consuming and hoarding medical supplies that are in desperate need around the state including masks, gloves, and other protective gear for medical professionals,” it added.

“The new executive order by Governor Greg Abbott will stop all surgical elective abortions until 11:59 p.m. on April 21, 2020,” it explained.

Texas Right to Life told LifeNews that Governor Abbott’s order could potentially save as many as 2,868 babies from abortion during the next month, based on state health department abortion data.

“Texas Right to Life is grateful that the loss of life during the COVID-19 outbreak will be decreased thanks to the halt in abortions. We call on the State of Texas to expand the order to include chemical abortions as well,” it continued.

Several states have issued orders requiring that all non-essential and elective surgeries be stopped. The state of Ohio is one of them, but as LifeNews.com reported, abortion facilities are ignoring Ohio Health Director Amy Acton’s mandate, which went into effect Wednesday. Local pro-life groups called each abortion facility Thursday and confirmed that they still are aborting unborn babies.

By late Friday, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost followed up on the non-essential mandate and ordered two abortion business to stop killing babies in abortion. They can’t provide any treatment or procedures that are “non-essential or elective surgeries and procedures that utilize personal protective equipment.” Since the only procedures abortion businesses generally do that are “non-essential or elective surgeries and procedures” are abortions, that essentially closes down their main source of business and income.

In Ohio, Attorney General Yost’s letter explained the halt to abortions this way:

“You and your facility are ordered to immediately stop performing non-essential and elective surgical abortions. Non-essential surgical abortions are those that can be delayed without undue risk to the current or future health of a patient,” Yost said.

“If you or your facility do not immediately stop performing non-essential or elective surgical abortions in compliance with the (health director’s) order, the Department of Health will take all appropriate measures.”

Michael Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, wrote Friday to Ohio Planned Parenthood President Iris Harvey, accusing the group of violating the state order.

“By performing surgical abortions, your company is putting the health and safety of all Ohioans in danger,” Gonidakis said. “Your current noncompliance will undoubtedly contribute to the spread of COVID-19 and put the lives of first responders, nurses and doctors in danger.”

Although Yost’s letters went only to Women’s Med Center in Dayton and Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio’s Cincinnati Surgery Center, it presumably would apply to others as well, such as Preterm in Cleveland, which also remained open after Acton’s order.

Gonidakis told LifeNews.com that this is the right action in light of the coronavirus situation and the mandate to stop non-essential procedures.

“The Health Order, which Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton recently signed, requires that non-essential surgical procedures be postponed in Ohio. This allows vital medical supplies to be saved for our hospital systems’ fight against COVID-19 as the need for these supplies will most certainly increase in the coming days,” he said. “As countless other clinics across the state comply with this health order and prioritize the lives of their fellow Ohioans, Planned Parenthood continues to put profit and abortion above the safety of our society’s most vulnerable members- children and the elderly.”

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“We are grateful that Attorney General Yost is putting the health and safety of all Ohioans both young and old first by ordering the closure of all nonessential surgical procedures. The Health Order recently signed does not provided any exceptions and all clinic a must comply to stop the spread of this pandemic. If the abortion clinic continue to put lives in danger, we expect our government to lock their doors,” Gonidakis told LifeNews.

“It is time to hold Planned Parenthood accountable for violating this emergency Health Order,” he added.

According to the Ohio State Medical Association, the order to stop non-essential surgery means:

Only scheduled surgeries and procedures that meet one or more of the following criteria as it relates to the patient’s medical condition will be allowed:

There is a threat to the patient’s life if the surgery or procedure is not performed;

There is a threat of permanent dysfunction of an extremity or organ;

There is a risk of metastasis or progression of staging;

Risk of rapidly worsening to severe symptoms (time sensitivity).

If the surgery or procedure does not meet one of the above criteria, then it must be canceled, Gov. Mike DeWine and Dr. Acton announced on Tuesday.

Abortions do not fit any of those categories. They are elective procedures done to kill unborn babies.

Meanwhile, reports show at least three abortionists may have the coronavirus, one in Washington state, one in Michigan and one in Texas.

Other states have issued similar orders limiting non-essential medical procedures, but abortion facilities continue to do abortions there as well. The same problem is happening in other states like California and Pennsylvania.