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Houston: Difference between revisions

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m (Reverted edits by 109.228.173.207 (talk) to last revision by Lani314)
(updated with abortion law changes)
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'''OVERVIEW'''  
'''OVERVIEW'''  


As a major American city, Houston 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. This heavily impacts the political and social climate of the state, and in particular abortion law. While abortion is legal in Texas, as it was ruled to be a legal right in Roe v. Wade (1973), 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, Houston is a huge 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.
As a major American city, Houston has an incredible range of medical facilities and providers. While there are certainly restrictions that impose great difficulty, there are also a wealth of resources that can be sought after. 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. This heavily impacts the political and social climate of the state, and in particular abortion law. While abortion is legal in Texas, as it was ruled to be a legal right in Roe v. Wade (1973), 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. In August 2021, a law went into effect in Texas that banned abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.<ref name=":0">https://www.businessinsider.com/texas-6-week-abortion-ban-has-officially-become-law-2021-8</ref>


==Contraception==
==Contraception==
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[[File:Texaswomenprotest.jpg|450px | thumb|left|frame|'''Texas women protest SB 5/HB 2'''.]]
[[File:Texaswomenprotest.jpg|450px | thumb|left|frame|'''Texas women protest SB 5/HB 2'''.]]


Since 1973, abortion has been legal in the United States under the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision. Yet in Texas, abortion has been consistently challenged, where additional restrictions have been placed on clinics, health care providers and women seeking abortions.  
In August 2021, a law went into effect in Texas that banned abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.<ref name=":0" /> However, this was soon followed by a temporary restraining order on Texas Right to Life to enforce the ban.<ref>https://sports.yahoo.com/news/texas-judge-sides-abortion-providers-010058708.html</ref> In total, this means that Texas has very restrictive abortion laws, but enforcement of these laws is still being determined.
 
Historically, since 1973, abortion has been legal in the United States under the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision. Yet in Texas, abortion has been consistently challenged, where additional restrictions have been placed on clinics, health care providers and women seeking 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.  
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.  
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* [http://houstonwomensclinic.com/houston-abortion-services/ Houston Women's Abortion Clinic]: They provide surgical abortions and MAYBE medical abortions (we'll need to confirm this). About $100 total for sonogram and pregnancy options counseling. "Since 1976, the Houston Women's Clinic has been the trusted leader in providing safe, compassionate and confidential abortion care." Address: 4820 San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX 77004. Hours: Mon – Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm, Sat 7:30 am – until done. Phone: 713-868-4483, 1-800-646-4483 (Toll Free).
* [http://houstonwomensclinic.com/houston-abortion-services/ Houston Women's Abortion Clinic]: They provide surgical abortions and MAYBE medical abortions (we'll need to confirm this). About $100 total for sonogram and pregnancy options counseling. "Since 1976, the Houston Women's Clinic has been the trusted leader in providing safe, compassionate and confidential abortion care." Address: 4820 San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX 77004. Hours: Mon – Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm, Sat 7:30 am – until done. Phone: 713-868-4483, 1-800-646-4483 (Toll Free).
* [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/texas/houston/77023/planned-parenthood-center-for-choice-ambulatory-surgical-center-(abortion)-2292-91650/abortion Planned Parenthood Center for Choice Ambulatory Surgical Center (Abortion)- Houston , TX]: Services offered: abortion pill (medication abortion), in-clinic abortion, sedation options (medication to make the abortion more comfortable), pre- and post-abortion patient education, post-abortion follow-up exams, referrals for other abortion services, as needed. About $150 total for sonogram and pregnancy options counseling. "Please contact this health center for abortion services pricing information. They may not perform abortions on minors under 15 or on pregnant minors who are over 11 weeks pregnant. If you are uninsured, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance for your procedure. You can confidentially find out if you qualify by calling us at 713.535.2400." Address: 4600 Gulf Freeway, Ste.300, Houston, TX 77023. p: 713.535.2400 | f: 713.535.2418.
* [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/texas/houston/77023/planned-parenthood-center-for-choice-ambulatory-surgical-center-(abortion)-2292-91650/abortion Planned Parenthood Center for Choice Ambulatory Surgical Center (Abortion)- Houston , TX]: Services offered: abortion pill (medication abortion), in-clinic abortion, sedation options (medication to make the abortion more comfortable), pre- and post-abortion patient education, post-abortion follow-up exams, referrals for other abortion services, as needed. About $150 total for sonogram and pregnancy options counseling. "Please contact this health center for abortion services pricing information. They may not perform abortions on minors under 15 or on pregnant minors who are over 11 weeks pregnant. If you are uninsured, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance for your procedure. You can confidentially find out if you qualify by calling us at 713.535.2400." Address: 4600 Gulf Freeway, Ste.300, Houston, TX 77023. p: 713.535.2400 | f: 713.535.2418.
* [http://www.texasabortioninformation.com/ Aaron Family Planning Clinic/Women’s Pavilion]: Provides surgical abortions for up to 20 weeks. May not provide medical abortions (abortion pill), so you should call to confirm. About $100 total for sonogram and pregnancy options counseling. They don't provide medical abortions (the abortion pill). Address: 2505 North Shepherd Dr., Houston, TX 77008. Phone: 713-272-6900.
* [http://www.texasabortioninformation.com/ Aaron Family Planning Clinic/Women’s Pavilion]: Provides surgical abortions. May not provide medical abortions (abortion pill), so you should call to confirm. About $100 total for sonogram and pregnancy options counseling. They don't provide medical abortions (the abortion pill). Address: 2505 North Shepherd Dr., Houston, TX 77008. Phone: 713-272-6900.
* [http://www.suburbanwomensclinic.com/houstonabortionservices.shtml Suburban Women’s Medical Center of Northwest Houston]: Provides medical abortions (for up to 7 weeks) and surgical abortions (for up to 15 weeks & 6 days). About $200-$250 for sonogram and pregnancy options counseling. "Some insurance plans cover abortion services and we accept insurance. We must verify this information before your appointment. Please call the office so that we may verify coverage prior to your appointment." They have 2 locations. Address #1: 17070 Red Oak Dr., Ste. 505, Houston, TX 77090. Phone: 800-233-0608, 281-440-1796. Address #2: 3101 Richmond #250, Houston, TX 77098. Phone: 713-222-9832.
* [http://www.suburbanwomensclinic.com/houstonabortionservices.shtml Suburban Women’s Medical Center of Northwest Houston]: Provides medical abortions and surgical abortions. About $200-$250 for sonogram and pregnancy options counseling. "Some insurance plans cover abortion services and we accept insurance. We must verify this information before your appointment. Please call the office so that we may verify coverage prior to your appointment." They have 2 locations. Address #1: 17070 Red Oak Dr., Ste. 505, Houston, TX 77090. Phone: 800-233-0608, 281-440-1796. Address #2: 3101 Richmond #250, Houston, TX 77098. Phone: 713-222-9832.


===Costs===
===Costs===
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