**Texas Abortion Ban Blamed for Woman’s Preventable Death**

In a tragic case highlighting the consequences of restrictive abortion laws, a woman named Josseli Barnica died after doctors in Texas delayed treating her miscarriage for 40 hours, ProPublica reported. Barnica's death, which occurred in September 2021, was deemed "preventable" by experts.

The ordeal began on 2 September 2021, just a day after Texas implemented its six-week abortion ban. Barnica, 28, who was over 17 weeks pregnant, experienced severe cramps and sought medical attention. Returning to the hospital the next day due to worsening bleeding, doctors determined her miscarriage was both "in progress" and "inevitable." Despite her cervix being dilated nearly 9 cm, which placed her at high risk for rapid infection, doctors were legally restricted from intervening due to her fetus still having a heartbeat.

Under the Texas ban, medical intervention is allowed only if a "medical emergency" occurs—a term which remains ambiguously defined. Consequently, doctors felt compelled to wait. It was only after approximately 40 hours and the cessation of the fetal heartbeat that doctors expedited her labor and delivered the fetus. Unfortunately, Barnica's condition quickly deteriorated, leading to her death from sepsis related to "products of conception" shortly after being discharged.

The case has drawn significant attention and criticism, with medical experts emphasizing the need for timely care to prevent such fatal outcomes. Drastic delays in providing necessary medical interventions run counter to standard medical practices given the infection risks inherent in such situations. Barnica’s family, now left without a wife and mother, has become emblematic of the broader issue many women face under current abortion restrictions.

ProPublica noted this incident as the third of its kind in recent years, reflecting a troubling pattern where women have died due to delays or denials of critical medical care connected to restrictive abortion laws.

HCA Healthcare, the hospital chain involved, stated that physicians exercised independent judgment while aiming to comply with state and federal regulations. However, calls for clearer, more compassionate healthcare guidelines have grown louder.

Politicians and activists are increasingly vocal about the implications of restrictive abortion laws. U.S. Representative Colin Allred from Dallas, running against Senator Ted Cruz, condemned the ban and attributed Barnica's preventable death to such policies. Meanwhile, political figures like Ted Cruz and Governor Greg Abbott have remained silent on the issue amidst mounting criticism.

This case feeds into the broader national debate on abortion, a crucial topic in the U.S. elections, with various states enacting strict bans after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Calls for protecting abortion rights continue to grow, as more stories emerge of women lacking access to necessary medical procedures.