We really need those other reaction icons . . . 
On the one hand, this is outrageous and unforgivable. On the other, the providers are in a literal no-win situation. The law is intentionally vague on exactly what “imminent threat” means, specifically to keep docs from knowing where the line is. The only way they can protect themselves is to effectively put up a “no pregnant people” sign outside their EDs and offices. This sort of thing is why so many docs are fleeing TX and FL. Most of us cannot in good conscience provide subpar care, but equally are very reluctant to put themselves in a place where a DA looking to establish MAGAt cred prosecutes them for saving a pregnant patient at the cost of the fetus. There are some truly heroic docs willing to take that chance, but most of us are not in that category. It sucks. No way around it. But it will happen more and more until MAGA delenda est.
The way the law is written, anyone practicing prenatal medicine if any sort just cannot offer any intervention at any point in pregnancy witloophout facing draconian consequences. If Mom survives, there is no possible way to prove that she would have died without intervention. They can always find someone to testify that the D&C was not necessary. The only answer i see is to get out of the state. Which sucks for pregnant people there, but I’m not certain makes it any worse…
If you don’t follow MDJ, you should.
Detailed discussion of these cases. TW needed, she is a doctor and discussed incredibly sad and gory things in a very clinical manner. You have been warned.
The key here is that the law is written so that there does not even have to be a viable fetus to act against the docs. If it was not a spontaneous abortion, the mom cannot be helped.
Lest we need yet another reminder of how all sorts of things are interconnected…
This story is more nuanced than it seems:
Carpenter was indicted alongside a Louisiana mother who allegedly gave the pills that Carpenter sent to her daughter, a minor.
The minor wanted to keep the pregnancy and called 911 after taking the pills, which is how the police learned of the medication and its source, according to an NPR interview with Tony Clayton, the local district attorney prosecuting the case.
If this is accurate, inflicting an abortion upon someone against their will is, in fact, a crime, and should be treated as one. We support the right of a minor to opt to have an abortion, we need to also support their right to not have one. I don’t know what Carpenter’s interaction was with the minor in question, nor what information she was given. I am very not OK with the mother making this call against the will of the daughter. Again, all this is predicated on this story being accurate. Sadly, we don’t know “the rest of the story.” I would not be shocked to find out that this was a gotcha “Project Veritas” kind of sting operation in the end. I hate having to think like that, but here we are.
Yes, I found that part interesting.
The claim about the child being coerced is highly suspect. Among other things, there is a specific statute criminalizing coercing a person into an abortion. However, the authorities haven’t charged the mother with that crime. They’ve only charged her to anti-abortion statutes. Although I didn’t read it terribly thoroughly. The linked article appears to explain at least some of the issues with the claim that the child was coerced into an abortion.
Way to bury the lede:
Instead a of focusing on potential wrongs committed against the teenage daughter, Louisiana has chosen to pursue a legal showdown against New York’s shield laws and double down on a drug prohibition scheme that is doomed to fail like other drug prohibition schemes that have come before it.
My guess is Louisiana is hoping for a USSC ruling striking down shield laws so they can ban abortion by mail.
Seems likely. When in doubt, assume they’re being diabolical.
TW: This is seriously rage-inducing, and could endanger the health and well-being of anyone who still has a soul.
MDJ is a great communicator, but she also takes no shit and speaks bluntly. You are forewarned.
For those suffering youtube exhaustion:
Fuck this to the stars.