After the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022, 14 states, including Texas, tightened their laws on abortion.
Kate Cox, a resident of Texas, became known nationwide after she sued the state in an attempt to terminate an unviable pregnancy. Kate’s situation gained attention when she was 20 weeks pregnant and her unborn daughter was diagnosed with trisomy 18, a rare genetic condition that can lead to severe complications.
Trisomy 18 causes babies to have three copies of chromosomes instead of two, often resulting in heart defects and other organ abnormalities. Most pregnancies with trisomy 18 end in miscarriage or stillbirth, and those babies who do survive at birth typically do not live past their first two weeks.
Despite the diagnosis and the risks to her health, Kate attempted to seek an abortion in Texas, which has strict laws banning the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy. In December 2023, Kate filed a lawsuit asking the court to declare her right to terminate the pregnancy due to the significant threats it posed to her life and future fertility.
After a temporary restraining order was granted by a district court judge, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned that Kate’s doctor could face legal consequences if she proceeded with the abortion. The state’s Supreme Court ultimately blocked Kate from having the procedure, forcing her to leave Texas to receive the abortion she deemed necessary.
Throughout the legal battle, Kate’s husband, Justin Cox, stood by her side as her strongest supporter. The couple explained that part of their motivation for the lawsuit was to protect Justin and their physician from legal action for aiding and abetting an abortion, which could result in hefty fines in Texas.
As of now, Kate and Justin continue to reside in the Dallas area. In a positive turn of events, Kate was invited by First Lady Jill Biden to attend President Joe Biden’s third State of the Union address in March 2024. Kate is set to be one of the First Lady’s guests at the event, highlighting the ongoing impact of the legal battle that brought her national recognition.
