Tennessee judges say doctors can't be disciplined for providing emergency abortions

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A three-judge panel on Thursday ruled that Tennessee doctors who provide emergency abortions to protect the life of the mother cannot have their medical licenses revoked or face other disciplinary actions while a lawsuit challenging the state's sweeping abortion ban continues. “The evidence presented underscores how serious, difficult, and complex these issues are and raises significant questions as to whether the medical necessity exception is sufficiently narrow to serve a compelling state interest.” The judges determined that the following medical conditions now fall under the state's abortion exemptions: premature rupture of the amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus; inevitable abortions; fatal fetal diagnoses that result in severe preeclampsia or mirror syndrome associated with fetal hydrops; and fatal fetal diagnoses leading to an infection that will result in uterine rupture or potential loss of fertility. The abortion law initially only explicitly stated that ectopic or molar pregnancies qualify as exemptions, as well as doctors who use their “reasonable medical judgement” in order to “prevent the death of the pregnant woman or to prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.” The ruling is a win for reproductive rights advocates who have argued that the Volunteer State’s abortion ban, which has been in effect since 2022, is too vague and unfairly puts doctors at a high legal risk of violating the statute. “The State’s position from the outset has been that Tennessee’s Human Life Protection Act allows pregnant women to receive all necessary care to address serious health risks,” said Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti in a statement.