Past Contributions

• Texas can ban common abortion procedure in second trimester, appeals court rules

  By Shannon Najmabadi Aug. 18, 2021

  The ruling is yet another blow to reproductive rights advocates after Texas passed a law this year that goes into effect Sept. 1 banning abortions as early as six weeks. That law is also currently being challenged in court. Full Story 

• Texas veterans homes overseen by George P. Bush were often the deadliest places to be during COVID-19 pandemic

  By Shannon Najmabadi, The Texas Tribune, Jay Root, Houston Chronicle, and Carla Astudillo, The Texas Tribune July 23, 2021

  Seven of the state’s nine veterans homes had a fatality rate of 25% or more, far higher than the statewide average of 11% for nursing homes. Bush has vowed to not renew the operators’ contracts. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill that would outlaw abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned

  By Shannon Najmabadi June 16, 2021

  The law would almost immediately outlaw abortions in Texas if a court ruling or constitutional amendment gave states the authority to prohibit the procedure. The governor’s signature comes after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that could pave the way for more state restrictions on abortion access. Full Story 

• An anti-abortion program will receive $100 million in the next Texas budget, but there’s little data on what’s being done with the money

  By Shannon Najmabadi and Carla Astudillo June 8, 2021

  Critics say the fast-growing Alternatives to Abortion program is secretive and a “waste” of money. But the program has strong supporters in the Republican-controlled Legislature who say it helps those who decide to “choose life in difficult circumstances.” Full Story 

• Lawsuit to block Lubbock's abortion ban is dismissed in court as the ordinance takes effect

  By Shannon Najmabadi Updated: June 2, 2021

  Planned Parenthood sued to block the "sanctuary city for the unborn" ordinance, passed by voters in May, but a federal judge said he didn't have jurisdiction to hear the case. The ordinance went into effect Tuesday. Full Story 

• Texas Legislature moves to give moms on Medicaid six months of health coverage after birth

  By Shannon Najmabadi May 28, 2021

  The bill would add an extra four months of health insurance for low-income women, who now get Medicaid coverage from pregnancy until two months after delivery. It now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for signature. Full Story 

• Texas Legislature passes bill that would outlaw abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned

  By Shannon Najmabadi Updated: May 25, 2021

  Called a “trigger” law, House Bill 1280 would take effect 30 days after the Supreme Court overturned the Roe decision or after a court ruling or constitutional amendment gave states the authority to prohibit abortions. Full Story 

• Texas lawmakers split over how long to extend Medicaid health coverage for new mothers

  By Shannon Najmabadi Updated: May 27, 2021

  Maternal health advocates said the bill — originally pitched as a one-year extension — could reduce the state’s maternal mortality rate and offer vital help to mothers with conditions like postpartum depression or health complications in the months after giving birth. Full Story 

• Priority bills imperiled as end-of-session tensions rise between Texas House and Senate

  By James Barragán, Jolie McCullough and Shannon Najmabadi May 20, 2021

  House lawmakers expressed frustration Thursday that some of their priority legislation had not moved in the upper chamber, including a package of health care and criminal justice reform bills pushed by House Speaker Dade Phelan. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott signs into law one of nation’s strictest abortion measures, banning procedure as early as six weeks into a pregnancy

  By Shannon Najmabadi Updated: May 19, 2021

  The signing of the bill opens a new frontier in the battle over abortion restrictions as first-of-its-kind legal provisions intended to make the law harder to challenge are poised to be tested in the courts. Full Story