Under instruction by pro-life Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, the state’s Health and Human Services Commission has introduced proposed regulations requiring burial or cremation for aborted babies.
“Governor Abbott believes human and fetal remains should not be treated like medical waste, and the proposed rule changes affirms the value and dignity of all life,” spokeswoman Ciara Matthews said.
Texas agencies may adopt some rules without legislation, though Abbott expressed hope the legislature would formally codify the rule in the fall. They are currently in a 30-day comment period, but could take effect in September.
NARAL Texas Executive Director Heather Busby blasted the requirement as a “new low for our state’s leaders who are committed to making abortion inaccessible and shaming Texans who have an abortion.”
But San Antonio Coalition for Life Executive Director Kellie Gretschel maintains, “I think anywhere in the nation when you have a deceased loved one, you wouldn’t want them to become medical waste or a specimen to be donated. You’d want to see that their rights were respected.”
