“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.”

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.

In Texas, where residents face the most extreme abortion restrictions in the U.S., Democrats tried both ways. They filed bills with modest reforms, to allow abortions in cases of incest, for example.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants to ensure doctors "are not in fear of being penalized" if they believe a mother's life is in danger.