AUSTIN, Texas _Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is warning medically unnecessary abortions must be postponed under a recent executive order from the governor for health care providers to cease nonessential procedures for a month because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Paxton's office said Monday that "any type of abortion that is not medically necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother" falls under the procedures that Gov. Greg Abbott ordered on Sunday to be postponed in an effort to help health care providers respond to cases of COVID-19, the disease from the novel coronavirus.
Paxton said the ban also applies to most scheduled health care procedures that are not "immediately medically necessary," including dermatological, ophthalmological and dental procedures and orthopedic surgeries.
"We must work together as Texans to stop the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that our health care professionals and facilities have all the resources they need to fight the virus at this time," Paxton said. "No one is exempt from the governor's executive order on medically unnecessary surgeries and procedures, including abortion providers. Those who violate the governor's order will be met with the full force of the law."
Those who fail to comply with the executive order could face penalties of up to $1,000 or 180 days of jail time, Paxton said.
