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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
Since 1973, abortion has been legal in the United States under the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision. In Texas, abortion has been consistently challenged, where restrictions have been placed on clinics, health care providers and women seeking abortions. In 2013, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed House Bill 2 (known as "HB 2)", an anti-abortion bill. According to this law, "Abortion doctors must have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion clinic,"<ref>[http://fundtexaschoice.org/what-is-hb2/ What is HB2?]</ref>. Furthermore, abortion clinics must align by standards meant for ambulatory surgical centers, which have strict regulations on buildings, equipment and staff. Because nearly all abortion doctors have no admitting privileges to such hospitals in Texas, and because the hospitals have no incentives to provide such access, this forced many clinics to close down. Furthermore, because most abortion clinics don't have the funding or resources to abide by ambulatory standards, this also forced abortion clinics to close down. In the years following HB 2, Texas went from having 40 abortion clinics to only 19.<ref>[https://www.texastribune.org/2016/06/28/texas-abortion-clinics-have-closed-hb2-passed-2013/ Texas Abortion Clinics That Have Closed Since 2013]</ref> | |||
In June 2016, the United States Supreme Court struck down HB 2 in a 5-3 decision. As written by Justice Stephen G. Breyer, “We conclude that neither of these provisions offers medical benefits sufficient to justify the burdens upon access that each imposes. Each places a substantial obstacle in the path of women seeking a previability abortion, each constitutes an undue burden on abortion access, and each violates the federal Constitution.”<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/us/supreme-court-texas-abortion.html?_r=0 Supreme Court Strikes Down Texas Abortion Restrictions | |||
]</ref> | |||
Yet, other restrictions in Texas remain in place, particularly those passed in December 2015. Under these new restrictions, a woman must receive an ultrasound before obtaining an abortion. The health care provider must show and describe the ultrasound image to the woman. The ultrasound must be obtained at least 24 hours before an abortion, which imposes difficulties on women who do not live close to abortion providers. Furthermore, a woman must receive counseling before obtaining an abortion. During counseling, the woman will be discouraged from getting an abortion. Following counseling, she must wait at least 24 hours before receiving an abortion. Furthermore, minors must receive parental consent if they wish to obtain an abortion. The use of telemedicine for the performance of a medical abortion is prohibited. | |||
There are also strict timelines to consider. Before 20 weeks of post-fertilization, all reasons for an abortion are permitted. However, at or after 20 weeks, an abortion can only be performed if the woman's life is endangered, the pregnancy puts her at significant health risk, or if the pregnancy is "medically futile," which is "based on the spurious assertion that a fetus can feel pain at that point."<ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/state-facts-about-abortion-texas State Facts About Abortion: Texas]</ref> | |||
Furthermore, on January 1 2016, Texas House Bill 3994 ("HB 3994") went into effect. As explained by Planned Parenthood, "The law assumes all women seeking abortions are minors until they prove otherwise, and places the burden of proof on the physician performing the abortion to request a proof of identity and age.<ref>[https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-center-for-choice/texas-abortion-laws#sthash.9koRhmBH.dpuf Texas Abortion Laws]</ref> | |||
Despite the severe restrictions placed on Texas women, they continue to seek abortions every year. According to studies, in 2011, 14% of pregnancies in Texas resulted in abortion. Overall, 13.5 out of 1000 women received abortions, though one should remember that some of these women may have been from out-of-state and some Texas women may have received abortions in other states.<ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/state-facts-about-abortion-texas State Facts About Abortion: Texas]</ref> | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* [http://www.routhstreet.com/ Routh St. Women’s Clinic]: 4321 Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-748-8611, 800-742-8489. Medical abortions up to 7 weeks. Surgical abortions up to 17 weeks, 6 days. | |||
* [http://www.southwesternwomens.com/ Southwestern Surgery Center]: 8616 Greenville Ave. Ste 101, Dallas, TX 75243, 214-742-9310. 800-727-2255, Medical abortions up to 7 weeks, Surgical abortions up to 21 weeks | |||
* [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center Planned Parenthood]: 7424 Greenville Ave., Ste. 211, Dallas, TX 75231, 214-373-1868, 866-563-9623. Not providing medical abortions. Surgical abortions up to 17 weeks, 6 days. | |||
* [http://www.abortionadvantage.com/ Abortion Advantage]: 1929 Record Crossing Rd., Dallas, TX 75235, (214) 630-3333/ | |||
There are also some abortion clinics in Ft. Worth (nearby): | |||
* [http://wholewomanshealth.com/ Whole Woman’s Health]: 3256 Lackland Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76116, (817) 924-6641, Medical abortions only on certain days, Surgical abortions up to 17.6 weeks. | |||
* [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-greater-texas Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas]: 6464 John Ryan Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76132, 817-276-8063. No medical abortions. Surgical abortions up to 17 weeks, 6 days. | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
Nationwide, the abortion pill can cost $800, but often less. For an in-clinic procedure, abortions can cost $1500, but often less. You can often find cheaper options at Planned Parenthood or some clinics. In Texas, Medicaid does not cover abortion.<ref>[https://fundabortionnow.org/get-help/medicaid Can Medicaid cover my abortion?]</ref> | |||
==Advocacy & Counseling== | ==Advocacy & Counseling== | ||