Paxton Sues New York Doctor for Providing Essential Health Care

Collin County, TX -On Thursday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against a New York doctor for providing medication abortion to a Texas woman. The lawsuit accuses the doctor of violating Texas law and seeks up to $250,000 in damages. This case marks the first attempt to test New York's abortion provider shield law that protects providers from out of state investigation and prosecution.

Texas's abortion bans are among the most extreme in the nation - completely banning abortion with very limited and unclear exceptions for the life of the patient. Any one found to have violated the law could face up to 99 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000 and a loss of licensure. Since these abortion bans went into effect in 2022, there have been numerous reports of women in Texas who have suffered severe injury or death as a result of being denied care.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

"This lawsuit is another effort from Ken Paxton intended to have a chilling effect among providers even in states where abortion is protected. Abortion bans are dangerous and are costing people across the country their lives, freedom, and control. The American people have made clear time and again that they do not want lawmakers interfering with their personal decisions and yet, once again, Texas lawmakers are in a race to the bottom filing harmful litigation. We must continue fighting back on these efforts and protect patients' access to care."

Statement from Planned Parenthood Texas Votes Senior Advisor Wendy Davis:

"This is another desperate attempt by Ken Paxton to control our bodies and limit access to health care for Texans. He continues to fear monger and weaponize his office to further his unpopular extremist agenda. People deserve access to health care without government interference. Ken Paxton's relentless attacks are endangering the health and lives of pregnant people - especially people of color and those in underserved communities. By erecting more barriers to essential health care like abortion and targeting doctors who provide that care, he continues to harm the very people he is meant to serve"

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Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation's largest provider of sex education. With nearly 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.

Planned Parenthood Texas Votes (PPTV) is the nonpartisan policy, advocacy and political arm for the Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas.