Mary Tuma
@marytuma.bsky.social
Freelance journalist covering Texas reproductive rights | Words in The Guardian, The Nation, Mother Jones, The Intercept, Texas Monthly, Texas Observer and others | marystuma.com | [email protected] | Secure: Signal or [email protected]
"During Walker’s many hospital and prenatal visits, 21 OB-GYNs were among the more than 90 physicians involved in her care. None of them counseled her on the option — or the health benefits — of a termination, according to medical records."
NEW:
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:33 PM
"During Walker’s many hospital and prenatal visits, 21 OB-GYNs were among the more than 90 physicians involved in her care. None of them counseled her on the option — or the health benefits — of a termination, according to medical records."
Texans under 18 faced more barriers to accessing abortion care in clinics than any other age group in the months following the 2021 near-total abortion ban, according to a new study in @amjpublichealth.bsky.social
Caveat: this study does not include SMA
ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/...
Caveat: this study does not include SMA
ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/...
Changes in Facility-Based Abortion Care Among Texas Resident Minors and Young Adults After a 2021 Abortion Ban: September 2020–May 2022 | AJPH | Vol. Issue
Objectives. To compare changes in the number of facility-based abortions among Texas residents in different age groups following the state’s 2021 law prohibiting abortion after detection of embryonic ...
ajph.aphapublications.org
November 14, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Texans under 18 faced more barriers to accessing abortion care in clinics than any other age group in the months following the 2021 near-total abortion ban, according to a new study in @amjpublichealth.bsky.social
Caveat: this study does not include SMA
ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/...
Caveat: this study does not include SMA
ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/...
Reposted by Mary Tuma
A federal judge in Texas who spent the past three years trying to help conservative groups overturn the FDA's regulation of the abortion drug mifepristone has bowed out of the case.
Fiercely anti-abortion judge has bowed out of blockbuster mifepristone case
But the threat isn't over.
www.motherjones.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:11 PM
A federal judge in Texas who spent the past three years trying to help conservative groups overturn the FDA's regulation of the abortion drug mifepristone has bowed out of the case.
Reposted by Mary Tuma
"We refuse to comply with cruelty disguised as law,” says Debra Lynch, founder of Her Safe Harbor, a Delaware-based abortion telehealth provider. "HB 7 is an intimidation tactic, not a reflection of the reality of people’s needs."
Texas Extremists Are Trying Everything to Block Abortion Medication
Texas officials and activists are ramping up the fight against abortion pill access. But providers are standing firm.
www.thenation.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:45 PM
"We refuse to comply with cruelty disguised as law,” says Debra Lynch, founder of Her Safe Harbor, a Delaware-based abortion telehealth provider. "HB 7 is an intimidation tactic, not a reflection of the reality of people’s needs."
At least two out-of-state abortion pill providers @themap-crhc.bsky.social and @hersafeharbor.bsky.social tell me they are undeterred in the face of a new Texas law that allows citizens to sue them and others.
"We refuse to comply with cruelty disguised as law."
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
"We refuse to comply with cruelty disguised as law."
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Texas Extremists Are Trying Everything to Block Abortion Medication
Texas officials and activists are ramping up the fight against abortion pill access. But providers are standing firm.
www.thenation.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:11 PM
At least two out-of-state abortion pill providers @themap-crhc.bsky.social and @hersafeharbor.bsky.social tell me they are undeterred in the face of a new Texas law that allows citizens to sue them and others.
"We refuse to comply with cruelty disguised as law."
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
"We refuse to comply with cruelty disguised as law."
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
For @thenation.com: While Texas officials wage a battle against New York's abortion shield law and welcome a law to block abortion medication access, out-of-state providers that send pills to Texans like @hersafeharbor.bsky.social tell me they will not back down:
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Texas Extremists Are Trying Everything to Block Abortion Medication
Texas officials and activists are ramping up the fight against abortion pill access. But providers are standing firm.
www.thenation.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:27 PM
For @thenation.com: While Texas officials wage a battle against New York's abortion shield law and welcome a law to block abortion medication access, out-of-state providers that send pills to Texans like @hersafeharbor.bsky.social tell me they will not back down:
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
This new study from @nber.org analyzed the imapct of 2013 Texas abortion laws, finding bans cause “significant economic hardship” and widen income inequality, translating into higher rates of “financially motivated crime, such as theft and burglary.”
www.nber.org/papers/w34245
www.nber.org/papers/w34245
Abortion, Economic Hardship, and Crime
Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, an...
www.nber.org
September 17, 2025 at 5:58 PM
This new study from @nber.org analyzed the imapct of 2013 Texas abortion laws, finding bans cause “significant economic hardship” and widen income inequality, translating into higher rates of “financially motivated crime, such as theft and burglary.”
www.nber.org/papers/w34245
www.nber.org/papers/w34245
Reposted by Mary Tuma
NEWS from this morning: Letitia James, New York's attorney general, is intervening in a Texas attempt to penalize a New York doctor accused of mailing abortion pills across state lines—escalating one of the most consequential fights in the US abortion wars.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Letitia James will ‘step in to defend’ New York doctor accused of mailing abortion pills to Texas
State attorney general aims to block effort to punish doctor: ‘Texas has no power to impose its cruel abortion ban here’
www.theguardian.com
September 8, 2025 at 4:42 PM
NEWS from this morning: Letitia James, New York's attorney general, is intervening in a Texas attempt to penalize a New York doctor accused of mailing abortion pills across state lines—escalating one of the most consequential fights in the US abortion wars.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Mary Tuma
BREAKING: The Texas man accused in a Jonathan Mitchell-penned lawsuit of putting abortion pills in his partner's drink without her knowledge—causing her to have a miscarriage—says her story isn't true. He's countersuing for $100 million.
Texas Man Accused of Putting Abortion Pills in Partner’s Drink Claims She Made It Up, Countersues for $100 Million
The 34-year-old Marine alleges that the woman who sued him for wrongful death lied about a coerced abortion, and that there were political motives behind her lawsuit.
www.autonomynews.co
September 3, 2025 at 11:32 PM
BREAKING: The Texas man accused in a Jonathan Mitchell-penned lawsuit of putting abortion pills in his partner's drink without her knowledge—causing her to have a miscarriage—says her story isn't true. He's countersuing for $100 million.
While Texas already bans abortion, with HB 7 Republicans aim to halt the flow of abortion medication from out of state, one of the only remaining avenues for Texans to still access care. The bill now moves to the Gov's desk.
My latest for @texasobserver.org:
www.texasobserver.org/texas-legisl...
My latest for @texasobserver.org:
www.texasobserver.org/texas-legisl...
Texas Legislature Passes ‘Bounty Hunter’ Ban on Abortion Pills
House Bill 7 attacks one of the last remaining options for reproductive care in Texas and declares legal war on blue states.
www.texasobserver.org
September 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
While Texas already bans abortion, with HB 7 Republicans aim to halt the flow of abortion medication from out of state, one of the only remaining avenues for Texans to still access care. The bill now moves to the Gov's desk.
My latest for @texasobserver.org:
www.texasobserver.org/texas-legisl...
My latest for @texasobserver.org:
www.texasobserver.org/texas-legisl...
Reposted by Mary Tuma
New from Special Correspondent @marytuma.bsky.social: House Bill 7 attacks one of the last remaining options for reproductive care in Texas and declares legal war on blue states.
Texas Legislature Passes ‘Bounty Hunter’ Ban on Abortion Pills
House Bill 7 attacks one of the last remaining options for reproductive care in Texas and declares legal war on blue states.
www.texasobserver.org
September 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
New from Special Correspondent @marytuma.bsky.social: House Bill 7 attacks one of the last remaining options for reproductive care in Texas and declares legal war on blue states.
🚨BREAKING (this is a big deal y'all): The Texas Senate has given final approval to HB 7, a bill that empowers citizens to sue anyone who, “manufactures, distributes, mails, transports, delivers, prescribes, or provides” abortion pills to Texans for at least $100K, it now moves to Gov. Abbott's desk.
September 4, 2025 at 1:37 AM
🚨BREAKING (this is a big deal y'all): The Texas Senate has given final approval to HB 7, a bill that empowers citizens to sue anyone who, “manufactures, distributes, mails, transports, delivers, prescribes, or provides” abortion pills to Texans for at least $100K, it now moves to Gov. Abbott's desk.
Now: The Texas House has given approval to HB 7, a bill that seeks to empower citizens to sue those who mail or prescribe abortion pills to Texans, following passionate opposition from Democrats, who testified that the measure will lead to more deaths. HB 7 still needs a vote from the Senate.
August 29, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Now: The Texas House has given approval to HB 7, a bill that seeks to empower citizens to sue those who mail or prescribe abortion pills to Texans, following passionate opposition from Democrats, who testified that the measure will lead to more deaths. HB 7 still needs a vote from the Senate.
A new version of a TX bill that allows private citizens to sue drug manufacturers for mailing abortion pills and reap $100K allows those not related to the person in question to get $10K + donate the rest to charity –– anti-abortion group Texas Right to Life suggest they should be the recipient:
August 26, 2025 at 4:51 PM
A new version of a TX bill that allows private citizens to sue drug manufacturers for mailing abortion pills and reap $100K allows those not related to the person in question to get $10K + donate the rest to charity –– anti-abortion group Texas Right to Life suggest they should be the recipient:
JUST IN: Attorney General Ken Paxton demands an "immediate halt" to mailing of abortion pills to Texans via cease and desist letters, citing a violation of the Comstock Act and abortion bans, targeting Plan C, Her Safe Harbor, and affiliate of Aid Access:
www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/defaul...
www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/defaul...
www.texasattorneygeneral.gov
August 20, 2025 at 3:37 PM
JUST IN: Attorney General Ken Paxton demands an "immediate halt" to mailing of abortion pills to Texans via cease and desist letters, citing a violation of the Comstock Act and abortion bans, targeting Plan C, Her Safe Harbor, and affiliate of Aid Access:
www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/defaul...
www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/defaul...
My latest for @texasobserver.org: After a surge of post-SB 8 + Dobbs "rage donations," Texas abortion funds – grassroots groups on the frontlines of connecting Texans with out-of-state care – now see dwindling contributions while facing rising costs and demand:
www.texasobserver.org/abortion-fun...
www.texasobserver.org/abortion-fun...
Abortion Funds See Dwindling Donations as Demand and Cost Rise
A flood of cash following Roe’s fall has dried up, leaving Texas nonprofits struggling to keep pace with the state’s abortion access crisis.
www.texasobserver.org
August 13, 2025 at 3:03 PM
My latest for @texasobserver.org: After a surge of post-SB 8 + Dobbs "rage donations," Texas abortion funds – grassroots groups on the frontlines of connecting Texans with out-of-state care – now see dwindling contributions while facing rising costs and demand:
www.texasobserver.org/abortion-fun...
www.texasobserver.org/abortion-fun...
Just in: A South Texas woman who was unlawfully arrested and charged w/ murder for having a medication abortion in 2022 faced "gross abuse of power" from Starr County officials who have also sought to evade accountability, a new filing from @aclutx.bsky.social claims:
www.aclu.org/cases/gonzal...
www.aclu.org/cases/gonzal...
Gonzalez v. Ramirez et al. | American Civil Liberties Union
Although Texas law clearly prohibits prosecuting people for terminating their pregnancies, Starr County officials indicted, arrested, and jailed Lizelle Gonzalez for having an abortion. The ACLU’s Abo...
www.aclu.org
August 12, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Just in: A South Texas woman who was unlawfully arrested and charged w/ murder for having a medication abortion in 2022 faced "gross abuse of power" from Starr County officials who have also sought to evade accountability, a new filing from @aclutx.bsky.social claims:
www.aclu.org/cases/gonzal...
www.aclu.org/cases/gonzal...
Bold of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to criticize + sue to enforce arrest warrants of Texas Democrats who "fled" and who have "run away" to protect voting rights when Paxton quite literally fled and "RAN" away to avoid being served a subpoena (Is "bold" the word I'm looking for? Probably not.)
August 12, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Bold of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to criticize + sue to enforce arrest warrants of Texas Democrats who "fled" and who have "run away" to protect voting rights when Paxton quite literally fled and "RAN" away to avoid being served a subpoena (Is "bold" the word I'm looking for? Probably not.)
Now: A Texas Senate Committee just passed anti-abortion bill SB 6 and it will move to the full Senate, where it will surely pass. However, the Democrat gerrymandering exodus prevents a quorum in the House so bills like this will be slowed down (or potentially defeated) for now if the walkout holds.
Today: A Texas Senate committee is expected to hear a revival of an anti-abortion bill (that failed during the regular session) which would empower private citizens to sue health providers and manufacturers who mail or prescribe abortion pills to Texans. SB 6: capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/H...
Texas Legislature Online - 89(1) History for SB 6
capitol.texas.gov
August 11, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Now: A Texas Senate Committee just passed anti-abortion bill SB 6 and it will move to the full Senate, where it will surely pass. However, the Democrat gerrymandering exodus prevents a quorum in the House so bills like this will be slowed down (or potentially defeated) for now if the walkout holds.
Reposted by Mary Tuma
NEW: A Texas woman filed a wrongful death suit in federal court today alleging a man gave her abortion pills without her consent. The suit also names Aid Access and its founder Rebecca Gomperts. The woman is represented by SB 8 architect Jonathan Mitchell.
Me at @autonomynews.co:
Me at @autonomynews.co:
Texas Woman Files Wrongful Death Suit, Alleges Man Slipped Abortion Pills in Her Drink
Jonathan Mitchell is representing a woman suing both her male partner and Aid Access founder Rebecca Gomperts. Mitchell associate Mark Lee Dickson said he learned of the incident from a crisis pregnan...
www.autonomynews.co
August 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM
NEW: A Texas woman filed a wrongful death suit in federal court today alleging a man gave her abortion pills without her consent. The suit also names Aid Access and its founder Rebecca Gomperts. The woman is represented by SB 8 architect Jonathan Mitchell.
Me at @autonomynews.co:
Me at @autonomynews.co:
Today: A Texas Senate committee is expected to hear a revival of an anti-abortion bill (that failed during the regular session) which would empower private citizens to sue health providers and manufacturers who mail or prescribe abortion pills to Texans. SB 6: capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/H...
Texas Legislature Online - 89(1) History for SB 6
capitol.texas.gov
August 11, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Today: A Texas Senate committee is expected to hear a revival of an anti-abortion bill (that failed during the regular session) which would empower private citizens to sue health providers and manufacturers who mail or prescribe abortion pills to Texans. SB 6: capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/H...
And the walkout has slowed down anti-abortion bills — including a measure that would let private citizens sue health providers and manufacturers for mailing + prescribing abortion medication to Texans
One aspect of the quorum break that's not getting much coverage is that it also killed the anti-trans bathroom bill, at least for now.
New from @byjustinmiller.bsky.social: While House Democrats in Chicago, plus some in New York, seem willing and able to withhold their numbers for the remaining weeks of this first 30-day special session, all that would do is delay the inevitable.
August 5, 2025 at 8:32 PM
And the walkout has slowed down anti-abortion bills — including a measure that would let private citizens sue health providers and manufacturers for mailing + prescribing abortion medication to Texans
Mistress of aggressively anti-abortion conservative Rep. Giovanni Capriglione alleges that he paid for multiple abortions during their affair, via right-wing outlet, Current Revolt. Capriglione authored the state's abortion trigger ban, which criminalizes care w/ up to life in prison for providers.
July 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Mistress of aggressively anti-abortion conservative Rep. Giovanni Capriglione alleges that he paid for multiple abortions during their affair, via right-wing outlet, Current Revolt. Capriglione authored the state's abortion trigger ban, which criminalizes care w/ up to life in prison for providers.
Jonathan Mitchell strikes again. A Texas man has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a California abortion provider for allegedly mailing abortion medication to his girlfriend. Like the Silva case, Mitchell is arguing a violation of the Comstock Act.
www.courthousenews.com/texas-man-su...
www.courthousenews.com/texas-man-su...
Texas man sues California doctor over medication abortion
The wrongful death suit invokes a long-dormant federal law alongside state law.
www.courthousenews.com
July 22, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Jonathan Mitchell strikes again. A Texas man has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a California abortion provider for allegedly mailing abortion medication to his girlfriend. Like the Silva case, Mitchell is arguing a violation of the Comstock Act.
www.courthousenews.com/texas-man-su...
www.courthousenews.com/texas-man-su...
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has listed "Protecting Unborn Children" –aka further banning abortion access in a state that already criminally bans abortion care – as the sixth highest priority for the state's special legislative session, above water conservation and protecting survivors of human trafficking
July 22, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has listed "Protecting Unborn Children" –aka further banning abortion access in a state that already criminally bans abortion care – as the sixth highest priority for the state's special legislative session, above water conservation and protecting survivors of human trafficking