The number, possibly an undercount, underscores the effect of blocking the procedure for one of the state’s most vulnerable populations.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says the Legislature should amend the language of the state's near-total abortion ban to address confusion over when doctors may terminate pregnancies.

Columbus filed motions to join two lawsuits as defendants alongside the Department of Health and Human Services.

Texas abortion restrictions are among the strictest in the nation, banning the procedure unless a pregnant person has a "life-threatening condition."

"I do think that we need to clarify any language so that doctors are not in fear of being penalized if they think the life of the mother is at risk," Patrick said Sunday on WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics" after he was asked whether he expected "any significant abortion legislation,

Patients and doctors have said the ban's only exception is so vague and the penalties are so steep that providers are reluctant to perform emergency abortions.

Texas’ abortion restrictions have forced the closure of clinics that also provide contraceptive services and sex education.

Amanda Zurawski, who nearly died after being denied an abortion, has been fighting to clarify the medical exception to Texas law for years. For the first time, Republicans might be willing to take up the issue.

“I think it’s clear, but I’m also open to the idea that some doctors don’t see it that way, some hospitals don’t think that way,” said Patrick, a Republican who presides over the Texas Senate. “We don’t want to stand in the way of that, but we’re not going to open it up so that abortion is prevalent again in the state.”

Texas Democrats aim to expand abortion access, facing opposition from Republicans wanting to further restrict it.

A federal judge in Texas is allowing three other states to pursue a challenge seeking to restrict access to the abortion pill mifepristone nationwide.

Trump-appointed Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ruled Thursday that Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri can pursue legal action to prohibit the FDA from allowing online prescriptions.