Senate Bill 8: Where to get reproductive health support in Texas

Muslim Matters

  • 30Sep
    2021

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Senate Bill 8: Where to get reproductive health support in Texas

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By Isras Nasir

Sept. 1, 2021, Senate Bill 8 was passed in Texas. The bill bans any abortion if cardiac activity is detected, which can happen as early as 6 weeks into a pregnancy and it is the most restrictive abortion ban in the country. Most pregnant people don’t even know at that time that they are pregnant. The bill also includes pregnancies that are a result of rape and/or incest. Additionally, as a final layer of oppression, a dangerous precedent is being set: Civilians are offered a reward of a minimum of $10,000 to report anyone who is seeking an abortion or anyone who is aiding and/or abetting in one.

Clinicians in Texas are being forced to engage in the unethical practice of denying reproductive healthcare to women and pregnant people all over Texas. The implications of such a ban are enormous, especially amplified at the intersection of race, poverty and access to healthcare. Those who are able to afford to leave the state to access abortion care will do so. However, a large majority of those who need abortions cannot afford to leave the state, pay for the procedure, stay at a hotel and possibly arrange childcare for current children.

Such an extreme ban will disproportionately harm Black, Hispanic, Asian, and other minorities. Sadly, as studies have shown, banning abortions does not reduce the rates of unplanned pregnancies or abortions themselves — instead, it increases later-term out-of-state abortions and non-medical procedures without medical oversight, which often result in medical emergencies or death. Another unfortunate reality of such a ban is that pregnant people will be forced to carry a pregnancy to term, which can have devastating mental health consequences.

Below is a list of resources that we will continue to update.

If you are in Texas and need abortion support (or know someone who does), here are a few organizations:

  • Houston’s women’s clinic
  • You can order an abortion pill online, through Plan C. Please make sure to educate yourself on how it works and if you are eligible
  • Planned Parenthood Texas. Their page also has a great FAQs page (recently updated to respond to inquiries about Senate Bill 8). They provide resources for out-of-state abortions if you are outside the legal limit of the new bill.

If you want to support the cause by donating:

If you are not in need of abortion but would like to support organizations that are working towards fighting this bill and for reproductive rights, review the following list.

If you are looking for mental health support at this time:

This is a difficult time. If you are in Texas and are experiencing mental health pressures, please contact the helplines listed below.

If you are looking for a therapist, you can use any of these search directories:

If you are in a mental health crisis, please go to your closest urgent care or call 911.

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