"Standard of Fear"

Investigative CATEGORY — SHOWCASE Silver winner

The Dallas Morning News
Lauren Caruba, Marin Wolf, Emily Brindley, Maria Ramos Pacheco, Azul Sordo Ortiz Hernan

08/18/2025

Standard of Fear is an investigative series exploring the impact of Texas’ abortion bans on the health care system, including changes to maternal health care, unintended consequences and patient harms. The reporting exposed potentially preventable patient deaths; physical, financial and emotional patient harms; negative impacts to the health care system, including the loss of clinicians with advanced abortion care training; diminishment of the standard of medical care available to pregnant Texans; changes to family planning; and a loss of trust between physicians and patients.

Less than a week after publication of Standard of Fear, state lawmakers discussed the reporting and its investigative findings on the floor of the House chambers during a special session of the 2025 Texas Legislature. House Bill 7, or the Woman and Child Protection Act, proposed measures that would allow lawsuits from private citizens against makers and distributors of abortion pills in Texas, as well as those who mailed the medications over state lines. During discussion of the bill, Rep. Chris Turner, a lawmaker from North Texas, asked the bill’s author if he had read the series, including its reporting indicating an increase in women’s fear of becoming pregnant in the state. “I would recommend that you do read it. I’d recommend that every member read it,” said Turner, who argued that the proposed legislation was “doubling down on these failed policies that are endangering women in Texas.”

While HB 7 ultimately passed and was signed into law, the investigation's inclusion in legislative debate highlighted its swift impact. This investigation has the potential to continue impacting public policy in Texas for years to come. During the last two legislative sessions, laws have been passed to mitigate the harms of Texas’ abortion restrictions. Already, advocates and medical professionals who have practiced under Texas’ abortion bans are preparing to argue for further changes to state law during the next legislative session in 2027 that would allow abortions in cases where fatal or life-limiting fetal anomalies are diagnosed, an issue that is explored in great detail throughout the series. There is also the opportunity for lawmakers to address maternal mental health crises, which remain unacknowledged in existing law.

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Submitted by Lauren Caruba