Boston: Council Backs Pregnant Patients and Healthcare Workers

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~ During the latest Council meeting, a resolution was adopted in support of pregnant patients and medical professionals in Texas. This comes after a week filled with rulings that have limited reproductive freedoms and access to medical care for pregnant patients in both Texas and Georgia.

On October 7th, the United States Supreme Court upheld a ruling by the Texas Supreme Court in the case of Zurawski v. Texas. The case involved two doctors and twenty women who were denied medically necessary care during pregnancy complications. This type of care is considered standard medical treatment for serious complications and can prevent sepsis, organ failure, and even death for pregnant patients.

The resolution, filed by Councilor Coletta Zapata, expresses concern over the recent decision by the nation's highest court. It states that this ruling sets a dangerous precedent in a post-Roe America where women may suffer physical harm or even lose their lives due to denial of necessary medical care.

Furthermore, the resolution highlights the lack of a medical framework for decision-making and legal protections for doctors who may face criminal or civil penalties for upholding their Hippocratic Oath to care for patients in need. Many doctors have spoken out against this law, citing its dangerous ambiguity.

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One of the plaintiffs in the Zurawski case, Amanda Zurawski, was eighteen weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. Despite this condition posing a threat to her life, doctors refused to provide necessary care. As a result, Amanda developed sepsis and had to be admitted to the ICU for three days. While she survived, she and her husband have faced difficulties conceiving again due to complications from the infection.

The Biden administration had urged the U.S Supreme Court Justices to overturn the lower court's order, arguing that Medicare-funded hospitals are federally obligated to perform emergency terminations if the health of the mother is at risk. However, their appeal was declined by the justices.

In light of these events, the Council has taken a stand in solidarity with pregnant patients and medical professionals in Texas and any state facing restrictive laws that limit their access to necessary medical care. The resolution serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights and well-being of pregnant patients and ensuring that medical professionals are able to provide them with the care they need.

Filed Under: Government, City

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