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One of the most controversial laws came in 2013, when 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> This lead to a situation in which many Texas women did not have access to abortion clinics in their areas, and they were forced to travel very long distances, oftentimes out of state, to obtain abortions. | One of the most controversial laws came in 2013, when 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> This lead to a situation in which many Texas women did not have access to abortion clinics in their areas, and they were forced to travel very long distances, oftentimes out of state, to obtain abortions. | ||
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 | 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> | ||
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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. | 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. | ||