Collage by Hunter French | Image via Shutterstock
Abortion access varies widely for people in different parts of the country. We're going state by state.
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What Texas state law says about abortion:
- Patients receive inaccurate information about abortion and the development of pregnancy; like a risk of breast cancer, infertility, and the ability of a fetus to feel pain. They must also receive information about alternatives to abortion, including parenting and adoption, as well as their right to receive child support.
- Patients wait 24 hours between getting the state-mandated counseling and having the abortion, which means most people have to visit the clinic two or more times. (Those living more than 100 miles away from their nearest clinic can have the waiting period waived.)
- Providers force people to have a mandatory ultrasound 24 hours before the abortion, too—despite this being medically unnecessary for most people. During the ultrasound, the provider must describe what is shown on the screen, and give the pregnant person the option to view the image and/or listen to the heart tone if available.
- The same doctor who performs the ultrasound must perform the abortion, too, which means people aren’t able to bring an ultrasound they’ve received from their primary care physician or OB/GYN first, and if the abortion provider suddenly becomes unavailable after performing the ultrasound the process must start all over again with a new doctor.
- Abortions performed beyond 16 weeks must take place at an ambulatory surgical center—which have to adhere to different standards than other abortion clinics, like regulations concerning buildings, equipment and staffing.
- People under 18 must have parental consent from one parent or legal guardian on the day of the abortion (not the ultrasound), unless they get a judicial bypass from court; a complicated process that must be done in a person’s county of residence. The process can also take weeks, and involves proving to a judge that you are capable of making this decision on your own. (For help getting a judicial bypass in Texas, teens can call or text Jane’s Due Process at 1-866-999-5263.)
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What it’s like seeking an abortion in Texas:
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