Court: To help fight virus, Texas can ban medication abortions

NEW ORLEANS — Texas can ban medication abortions as part of the state’s effort to fight the spread of the new coronavirus, a federal appeals court panel ruled Monday.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans last week temporarily blocked the state’s prohibition on medication abortions while it gave more consideration to the issue.

The same panel, in a 2-1 decision, said Monday the state was within its rights to ban that — and other abortion procedures — as it sought to slow the use of masks, gowns and other protective medical gear.

The majority opinion said a lower court erred by treating a medication abortion as “an absolute right.”

Clinics have argued that medication abortions do not require personal protective equipment that might be needed for coronavirus patients.