Pro-life states consider abortion exceptions in cases of fatal fetal anomalies

Legislative attempts to include abortion exceptions for unborn babies with disabilities are beginning to crop up in pro-life states amid controversy surrounding a Texas woman who struggled to get an abortion after her baby was diagnosed with a genetic condition in the womb.

The story of Kate Cox, a Texas mother of two, made national headlines in December when she was unable to obtain an abortion in her state after learning the baby she was carrying was diagnosed with what doctors said was a fatal genetic condition known as Trisomy 18 that occurs when there is an extra copy of the 18th chromosome, resulting in a range of potential abnormalities and difficulties. Doctors advised her that if she carried the baby to term, it could leave her infertile.

Despite the fact that the Texas law includes exceptions for a "life-threatening physical condition… or a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function," it does not include fetal anomalies. Cox's request for an abortion was denied by the Texas Supreme Court and she was forced to leave the state to have an abortion elsewhere.

Nebraska's legislature held a hearing on Thursday about a new bill that would add an exception for abortions in the state after 12 weeks in the case of a fatal fetal anomaly, a term used for babies considered "incompatible with life" outside the womb. The diagnosis and abortion, according to the proposal, would need to happen before 20 weeks of pregnancy, which is in line with Nebraska's previous 20-week abortion limit.

Nebraska Senator Merv Riepe, who introduced the bill to the state legislature, told Fox News Digital that the aim of the legislation is "to fix" the current 12-week limit on elective abortions in Nebraska.

"The legislation