The appointment of an anti-abortion doctor to the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC) has recently sparked fury on social media among abortion-rights activists. Following the overturning of in 2022 by the U.S.
, Texas, like several other states, has significantly restricted abortion services to women. Texas enacted one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, which does not have exceptions for rape, incest or medical needs as it goes into effect as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. However, the Texas Medical Board recently proposed new guidelines to clarify exceptions in medical emergencies, although these have not yet been adopted.
Last week, the Texas Department of State Health Services announced the appointment of Dr. Ingrid Skop, a San Antonio-based OB-GYN, to the Texas MMMRC. The committee, which is tasked with reviewing maternal deaths, is also expected to assess the impact of abortion laws on maternal mortality.
Skop is expected to start serving her term on June 1. In a statement to , Skop noted the state's high rate of maternal death, adding it "deserves rigorous discourse" as she aims to use her new position on the committee to improve women's health care. "There are complex reasons for these statistics, including chronic illnesses, poverty and difficulty obtaining prenatal care, and I have long been motivated to identify ways women's care can be improved.
For over 30 years, I have advocated for both of my patients, a pregnant wom.
