Two Texas women have filed federal complaints against hospitals, including one in Arlington, alleging denial of necessary care for their life-threatening ectopic pregnancies. Both women claim they have suffered life-changing injuries as a result. Represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights, these complaints are the first of their kind since the overturning of Roe v.Wade.
Allegations against Texas hospitals
Kyleigh Thurman, 25, is filing a complaint against Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital near Austin. Kelsie Norris-De La Cruz, also 25, is filing against Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. Both women assert that their hospitals failed to provide essential healthcare, thereby jeopardizing their future fertility and reproductive health.
“Having my symptoms be dismissed, my pain be dismissed, it’s unacceptable,” said Thurman.
Legal and medical confusion post-Roe v. Wade
The Center for Reproductive Rights believes that Texas’ abortion ban has caused confusion among doctors and healthcare systems about what treatments are permissible when pregnancies are in danger. This confusion has led to a hesitancy to provide necessary care due to potential legal repercussions.
“We are talking about medical providers facing the most extreme penalties: life in prison and loss of their medical license,” said Molly Duane, an attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights. “So yeah, they are terrified to provide care.”
The danger of ectopic pregnancies
Ectopic pregnancies occur when a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, making it impossible to carry to term. Untreated, these pregnancies can result in life-threatening bleeding. Federal law mandates that hospitals provide stabilizing medical care for all patients with emergencies, even if it involves abortion.
“It is a fact the federal law requires hospitals like the ones that they were treated in to provide stabilizing medical care for all patients with medical emergencies even if that care involves abortion,” Duane said.
Pro-life perspective on ectopic pregnancy treatment
Despite the legal complexities, Texas law does allow doctors to treat ectopic pregnancies. Texans for Life Coalition, a pro-life group, supports this provision.
“There is no other way to preserve her life, and there is no way to save that baby. So, it’s not a question,” said Kyleen Wright, president of the pro-life organization. “I don’t know of any organization that would support asking her to sacrifice her life for a nonviable baby.”
Wright was present when Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3058 in 2023. The bill allows healthcare providers to use “reasonable medical judgment” in treating ectopic pregnancies.
“We did exactly what the doctors and hospital groups asked us to do on that legislation,” Wright said. “So I don’t think there’s any confusion on that.”
Investigation and hospital responses
The federal complaints have been lodged with the US Department of Health and Human Services. The timeline for the investigation’s completion remains unclear.
“I know something wrong happened to me. I know that my rights were violated,” Thurman said.
Texas Health Arlington Memorial did not respond to requests for a statement.
Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital, while declining to comment on Thurman’s case, issued a statement affirming its commitment to providing high-quality care to all who seek their services.
Allegations against Texas hospitals
Kyleigh Thurman, 25, is filing a complaint against Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital near Austin. Kelsie Norris-De La Cruz, also 25, is filing against Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. Both women assert that their hospitals failed to provide essential healthcare, thereby jeopardizing their future fertility and reproductive health.
“Having my symptoms be dismissed, my pain be dismissed, it’s unacceptable,” said Thurman.
Legal and medical confusion post-Roe v. Wade
The Center for Reproductive Rights believes that Texas’ abortion ban has caused confusion among doctors and healthcare systems about what treatments are permissible when pregnancies are in danger. This confusion has led to a hesitancy to provide necessary care due to potential legal repercussions.
“We are talking about medical providers facing the most extreme penalties: life in prison and loss of their medical license,” said Molly Duane, an attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights. “So yeah, they are terrified to provide care.”
The danger of ectopic pregnancies
Ectopic pregnancies occur when a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, making it impossible to carry to term. Untreated, these pregnancies can result in life-threatening bleeding. Federal law mandates that hospitals provide stabilizing medical care for all patients with emergencies, even if it involves abortion.
“It is a fact the federal law requires hospitals like the ones that they were treated in to provide stabilizing medical care for all patients with medical emergencies even if that care involves abortion,” Duane said.
Pro-life perspective on ectopic pregnancy treatment
Despite the legal complexities, Texas law does allow doctors to treat ectopic pregnancies. Texans for Life Coalition, a pro-life group, supports this provision.
“There is no other way to preserve her life, and there is no way to save that baby. So, it’s not a question,” said Kyleen Wright, president of the pro-life organization. “I don’t know of any organization that would support asking her to sacrifice her life for a nonviable baby.”
Wright was present when Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3058 in 2023. The bill allows healthcare providers to use “reasonable medical judgment” in treating ectopic pregnancies.
“We did exactly what the doctors and hospital groups asked us to do on that legislation,” Wright said. “So I don’t think there’s any confusion on that.”
Investigation and hospital responses
The federal complaints have been lodged with the US Department of Health and Human Services. The timeline for the investigation’s completion remains unclear.
“I know something wrong happened to me. I know that my rights were violated,” Thurman said.
Texas Health Arlington Memorial did not respond to requests for a statement.
Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital, while declining to comment on Thurman’s case, issued a statement affirming its commitment to providing high-quality care to all who seek their services.