Medicaid expansion hits roadblock in Texas | SPECTRUM NEWS 1

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By: REENA DIAMANTE

“It’s egregious to me that the Biden-Harris administration would use women as political pawns in their game when it comes to protecting life,” said Amy O’Donnell, a communications director at Texas Alliance for Life, an anti-abortion lobbying group. “There’s simply no reason conceivable outside of politics that they turn this down in Texas.”

Lawmakers say they suspect the denial resulted from the language in the legislation that says coverage continues from “the date the woman delivers or experiences an involuntary miscarriage.” They say that could be interpreted as excluding those who had abortions from any expansion of Medicaid.

Texas abortion providers sue to block state’s pre-Roe ban | Spectrum News

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By: REENA DIAMANTE

It has not been used for nearly a half-century, but some abortion opponents believe it is fair game after Roe’s reversal.

“They have ceased doing abortions because of the threat of prosecution under that pre-Roe law,” Joe Pojman, executive director for Texas Alliance for Life, said. “I’m very grateful that for right now, it appears that unborn babies are not being aborted. Hopefully, those women are being told about the alternatives, the vast resources available to them if they choose to give birth to the child.”

Texans who identify as male get involved in abortion debate | Spectrum News

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By: ASHLEY CLASTER

Dr. Joe Pojman is on the other side of the debate. Dr. Pojman is anti-abortion, but, like Cotter, believes men should speak their opinions.

“Everyone has seen these images of the unborn baby,” Dr. Pojman said. “I have been involved with this issue for more than three decades.”

Thirty-four years ago, he founded the Texas Alliance for Life with one primary goal.

“To protect unborn babies against the tragedy of abortion all the way to conception,” he said.

Clinics ask high court to block Texas 6-week abortion ban | Spectrum News

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By: NIKI GRISWOLD

The Texas law, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in May, would ban abortion in the nation’s second-biggest state after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks of pregnancy and is before many women even know they are pregnant.

It asks private citizens to enforce the ban by suing doctors or anyone who helps a woman get an abortion. Among other situations, that would include anyone who drives a woman to a clinic to get an abortion. Under the law, anyone who successfully sues another person would be entitled to at least $10,000.

“This law is extreme, both in terms of the number of people who will be impacted if it goes into effect, and then also by opening the floodgates in our courthouses to these frivolous and very damaging lawsuits that people can file, even when they’re not directly impacted in any way by what somebody’s decision is to seek an abortion,” said said Sarah Wheat, spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas.

“Texas is leading the nation in this regard and we’re gonna have to see how the federal and state courts handle it. We’re not sure if it’s going to work but I will say it’s – we’re hopeful that many babies’ lives will be protected,” said Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life.

Anti-abortion advocates say getting the legislation to Gov. Abbott’s desk was a major victory.

U.S. Supreme Court to take up abortion case with implications for Texas “Heartbeat Bill” | Spectrum News 1

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By: NIKI GRISWOLD

The makeup of the court has anti-abortion advocates like Joe Pojman optimistic.

“We think we have more votes on the Supreme Court, more justices who are willing to take a fresh look at the Roe v. Wade precedent and possibly untie the hands of the legislature so they can begin to protect unborn babies from abortion,” said Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life.

“I think it’s not just possible, I think it’s reasonably likely that Roe v. Wade will at least be significantly eroded, if not completely overturned. There may very well be a five justice majority to do that now,” said Dale Carpenter, a constitutional law professor at Southern Methodist University.

This legislative session, lawmakers passed bills increasing abortion restrictions in the state, including one that would ban abortions as early as six weeks, which is before most women know they are pregnant.

It’s set to go to the Governor’s desk, where Abbott says he will sign it into law.

“Acting through our elected officials, Texas has shown itself to be a very pro-life state,” said Pojman. “We think that an unborn child is worthy of protection, and that is the right and the responsibility of the state of Texas.”