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Austin: Difference between revisions
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'''OVERVIEW''' | '''OVERVIEW''' | ||
As a major American city and the progressive hub of Texas, Austin has an incredible range of medical facilities and providers. Due to federal regulations, contraception is legal, though a prescription is required. Emergency contraception is also legal and no prescription is required; it can be purchased at pharmacies, drug stores and many clinics. However, there have been reported cases of pharmacists refusing to sell emergency contraception due to personal religious or moral beliefs. In general, Texas as a state is largely conservative with a strong religious Christian base. While Austin is notably more progressive than many other Texan cities, it still falls under Texas state laws. Abortion is legal in Texas, as it was ruled to be a legal right in Roe v. Wade (1973), but abortion has been consistently challenged in Texas. There have been many laws passed since 2013 that have limited the ability of abortion clinics to operate as well as the ability of women to obtain abortions. Some of these provisions, most notably HB 2, have been challenged and struck down by the United States Supreme Court. But many other restrictions remain in place, creating frustrating circumstances for women. Overall, | As a major American city and the progressive hub of Texas, Austin has an incredible range of medical facilities and providers. Due to federal regulations, contraception is legal, though a prescription is required. Emergency contraception is also legal and no prescription is required; it can be purchased at pharmacies, drug stores and many clinics. However, there have been reported cases of pharmacists refusing to sell emergency contraception due to personal religious or moral beliefs. | ||
In general, Texas as a state is largely conservative with a strong religious Christian base. While Austin is notably more progressive than many other Texan cities, it still falls under Texas state laws. Abortion is legal in Texas, as it was ruled to be a legal right in Roe v. Wade (1973), but abortion has been consistently challenged in Texas. There have been many laws passed since 2013 that have limited the ability of abortion clinics to operate as well as the ability of women to obtain abortions. Some of these provisions, most notably HB 2, have been challenged and struck down by the United States Supreme Court. But many other restrictions remain in place, creating frustrating circumstances for women. | |||
Overall, Austin is a dynamic city and Texas is a huge state. This means that, while there are certainly restrictions that impose great difficulty, there are also a wealth of resources that can be sought after. | |||
==Contraception== | ==Contraception== | ||
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In Texas, contraception is generally legal but restrictions apply. You need a prescription to obtain birth control. Furthermore, if you are under 18 years old, you typically need permission from your parents. In fact, Texas is one of only two US states that does not allow state funds to be used for contraceptive use without parental consent.<ref>[http://www.contracept.org/articles/contraception/texas-birth-control-laws-for-teens Texas Birth Control Laws for Teens]</ref> | In Texas, contraception is generally legal but restrictions apply. You need a prescription to obtain birth control. Furthermore, if you are under 18 years old, you typically need permission from your parents. In fact, Texas is one of only two US states that does not allow state funds to be used for contraceptive use without parental consent.<ref>[http://www.contracept.org/articles/contraception/texas-birth-control-laws-for-teens Texas Birth Control Laws for Teens]</ref> | ||
If you cannot get permission from your parents, you can confidentially get birth control from Title X clinics (see section below where you can find them in | If you cannot get permission from your parents, you can confidentially get birth control from Title X clinics (see section below where you can find them in Austin). Note that Title X clinics are available to all people, regardless of their age or if they have parental consent, and they may even be able to give you birth control at a reduced cost or no cost at all depending on your financial situation. Also, if you're on Medicaid, you can get birth control at Texas clinics that accept Medicaid (even if you're under 18 and with no parental consent required).<ref>[http://janesdueprocess.org/title-x-clinics/ Jane's Due Process: Where Can I Get Birth Control?]</ref> | ||
For many women, access to contraception in Texas is hampered by little government funding. This began in 2011, when 66% of state funds for Planned Parenthood in were cut. Later in 2013, the state replaced its Medicaid program with the [http://www.texaswomenshealth.org/ Texas Women's Health Program], thereby allowing them to cut all former Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood. These Planned Parenthood facilities served 60% of the state's low-income women.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-planned-parenthood-texas-births-20160203-story.html After Texas stopped funding Planned Parenthood, low-income women had more babies]</ref> | For many women, access to contraception in Texas is hampered by little government funding. This began in 2011, when 66% of state funds for Planned Parenthood in were cut. Later in 2013, the state replaced its Medicaid program with the [http://www.texaswomenshealth.org/ Texas Women's Health Program], thereby allowing them to cut all former Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood. These Planned Parenthood facilities served 60% of the state's low-income women.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-planned-parenthood-texas-births-20160203-story.html After Texas stopped funding Planned Parenthood, low-income women had more babies]</ref> | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===Testing Facilities=== | ===Testing Facilities=== | ||
For University of Texas at Austin students, there is an on-campus STD clinic. This STD-specific clinic has extremely limited availability. Appointments often book up more than one month in advance. For women, STD testing is available in the women's health center. Typical wait time for appointments is 1-2 weeks. All appointments can be made online. After testing, results are available via an online account within a week. In some cases, if the test results are positive, a prescription can be called in to the on-campus pharmacy without a requirement to visit the health center again. | * [http://www.austintexas.gov/department/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds STD clinic at RBJ Health Center]: "The STD Clinic at 15 Waller Street (RBJ Health Center, 1st Floor) provides evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Call 512-972-5430 to schedule an appointment. Clinic hours are 8am to 12 noon and 1pm to 5pm Monday through Friday. The fee for examination and treatment is $20, which includes all laboratory testing. NOTE: We can only test for Genital Herpes if you have active symptoms." Phone: 512-972-5430. Physical Address: 15 Waller Street, Austin, TX 78702: Open Hours: Monday through Friday 8am-12noon, 1-5pm. | ||
* [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/texas/austin/78704/south-austin-health-center-2397-91620/std-testing-treatment South Austin Health Center (Planned Parenthood)]: "STD testing, diagnosis and treatment, including: bacterial vaginosis (BV), chlamydia, genital warts, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV (testing and diagnosis only), syphilis, trichomoniasis (trich). Other STD testing, diagnosis and treatment services are also available. Please ask our staff for more information." Address: 201 E. Ben White Blvd. - Bldg. B, Austin, TX 78704. Phone: 512-276-8000. Fax: 512-441-6189. | |||
* For University of Texas at Austin students, there is an on-campus STD clinic. This STD-specific clinic has extremely limited availability. Appointments often book up more than one month in advance. For women, STD testing is available in the women's health center. Typical wait time for appointments is 1-2 weeks. All appointments can be made online. After testing, results are available via an online account within a week. In some cases, if the test results are positive, a prescription can be called in to the on-campus pharmacy without a requirement to visit the health center again. | |||
====Support==== | ====Support==== | ||
HIV | * [http://www.austintexas.gov/department/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds STD clinic at RBJ Health Center]: "We work to prevent the spread of HIV by providing anonymous HIV counseling, testing, and referral for early intervention services. We offer free confidential and anonymous counseling and testing for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis C, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia . Testing is available at many locations around the Austin area. Call 512-972-5580 for an appointment." "Case management services are provided wherever the client is located. Services are available for HIV infected persons who are homeless, pregnant, or under the age of 13." Phone: 512-972-5430. Physical Address: 15 Waller Street, Austin, TX 78702: Open Hours: Monday through Friday 8am-12noon, 1-5pm. | ||
* [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/texas/austin/78704/south-austin-health-center-2397-91620/std-testing-treatment South Austin Health Center (Planned Parenthood)]: "Counseling and confidential (private) testing for STDs are provided by trained staff who are sensitive to your needs and concerns." Address: 201 E. Ben White Blvd. - Bldg. B, Austin, TX 78704. Phone: 512-276-8000. Fax: 512-441-6189. | |||
* [http://www.aidsarms.org/ AIDS Arms Inc]: "Provides medication assistance and case management. Also has a clinic and does outreach in prisons." | * [http://www.aidsarms.org/ AIDS Arms Inc]: "Provides medication assistance and case management. Also has a clinic and does outreach in prisons." | ||
* [http://www.aidsinterfaithnetwork.org/ AIDS Interfaith Network]: "A multicultural, non-profit, faith-based HIV/AIDS organization that provides services for persons living with HIV/AIDS, gives support to the people who care for them, and educates persons who are at risk of HIV infection." | * [http://www.aidsinterfaithnetwork.org/ AIDS Interfaith Network]: "A multicultural, non-profit, faith-based HIV/AIDS organization that provides services for persons living with HIV/AIDS, gives support to the people who care for them, and educates persons who are at risk of HIV infection." | ||