A federal judge in the United States halted a Texas regulation demanding the burial or cremation of fetal remains of abortion and miscarriages.
The law that was expected to take effect on Dec. 19 was restrained by the court till Jan. 6, 2017 and the Judge Sam Sparks at Western District of Texas will be hearing the issue on Jan. 3 and 4.
Regulation On Funeral Of Fetal Remains
According to the regulation, the health clinics are required to either cremate or bury the fetal tissues of the aborted babies and the remains of miscarriages irrespective of the length of gestation. It is noted that the hospitals should follow the procedure whether or not the concerned woman is interested in it.
Amy Hagstrom Miller, the CEO and founder of Whole Woman's Health's said that the newly laid regulation doesn't really benefit women across the country, on the contrary, limits women from having access to safe abortion care.
Lawsuit On New Regulation
The lawsuit that was filed by abortion-rights group against the regulation noted that practicing funeral rituals for miscarriages and aborted babies would be a huge burden to women who seek medical help related to pregnancy.
However, The Texas Department of State Health Services argues that the move is an important step towards preventing the spread of various diseases. As of now, the fetuses are incinerated or disposed just like any other medical wastes.
The regulation, however, don't require women that face miscarriages at homes and such places to carry out the funeral rituals.
Supporters Of Federal Regulation
The supporters of the law note that funeral practices are like providing dignity to the dead fetus.
"Deceased unborn infants deserve the same respect as other human beings. Tragically, many states do not ensure that miscarried, stillborn, or aborted infants are treated with dignity, such as receiving proper burials," noted American United for Life, in a report.
Meanwhile, Michael Land from Texas State Funeral Directors Association noted that the agency can't really come into terms with the regulation and not sure how to carry it out, reported NPR. The funeral houses currently cremate the remains of fetuses over five months of gestation without any fee, noted Land.
Earlier in June the U.S. Supreme court knocked down of one of the Texas laws that required health clinics that performed abortions to have all the facilities required to carry out a surgery and physicians to have tie up with nearby hospitals for availing admission facilities. The court noted that the regulation is "unconstitutional" and would be burdensome for women who seek abortion care.
