AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The state Senate has voted to require medical clinics to report complications from abortions performed in Texas, and have the health department produce an annual report compiling that data.
Sen. Donna Campbell’s bill was approved 22-9 on Monday. It needs a final, largely formulaic vote, likely coming Tuesday, before heading to the Texas House.
Campbell, a Republican from New Braunfels, said state health codes require clinics, hospitals and other facilities to report complications from surgeries and major medical procedures. But she said there’s no such requirement for abortions.
The proposal drew lengthy questions from Democrats, who said abortion was among the safest medical procedures performed.
They argued that tracking complications was more about religious and ideological objections to abortion than sound medicine, but Campbell said more information would be beneficial.
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