Tennessee governor hopes for no ‘elective’ abortions with COVID-19 order

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s “hope and expectation” is that there will be no “elective” abortions performed in the state under an executive order that bars non-essential medical procedures to free up protective equipment for hospitals treating COVID-19.

Officials in Ohio, Mississippi and Texas have likewise interpreted executive orders that limit nonessential medical procedures to bar many abortions.

“The intent of this executive order is to gain greater access to” personal protective equipment, Lee spokesman Gillum Ferguson said in a statement. “Gov. Lee believes elective abortions aren’t essential procedures and given the state of PPE in Tennessee and across the country his hope and expectation would be that those procedures not take place during this crisis.”

Lee, a Republican, has ordered a halt to non-emergency dental work and non-essential hospital and surgical outpatient procedures, but the order did not specifically mention abortion. The order is effective until

April 13. It does not specify penalties for noncompliance.

Attorney General Herbert Slatery’s office stands “ready to defend the actions of the executive branch in enforcing Executive Order 18,” spokeswoman Samantha Fisher said in a statement.

The order defines a non-essential procedure as one “that is not necessary to address a medical emergency or to preserve the health and safety of a patient, as determined by a licensed medical provider.”

Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi declined to comment through a spokesman.