With the nearly 50-year-old ruling of Roe v. Wade being struck down in June 2022, the recent Supreme Court ruling has left many people searching for answers on what this means for the country as well as for them locally.
Read the rest of this article for common claims that have been made and what the facts actually are for Texas residents.
Myth #1: Abortion Is Illegal In All 50 States
Roe ensured federal protection for abortion access in all 50 states. It was argued that this was included in the “right to privacy” clause of the U.S. Constitution.
When this decision was recently reviewed, the Supreme Court declared that this argument lacked standing and historical integrity. This means that the protection or restriction of abortion will now be determined by each individual state, so abortion is not automatically illegal in all 50 states.
Myth #2: Women Are Not Going To Receive The Medical Care That They Need
There are some claims that doctors are going to withhold care for women, such as if they are suffering from miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
No law restricting abortion prohibits women from receiving the care they need. For example, the law restricting abortion in the state of Texas includes provisions that permit licensed doctors to use “reasonable judgement” if a pregnancy is life-threatening to the mother and should be terminated
There is no language that prohibits doctors from administering care for women with natural miscarriage, high-risk, or ectopic pregnancies.
Myth #3: Contraception Is Illegal
Contraceptives are legal everywhere in the United States, including Texas. According to the Texas Administrative Code, abortions do not include “birth control devices or oral contraceptives.”
Next Steps
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, the Pregnancy Help Center of West Houston offers no-cost ultrasounds which can be helpful in determining the viability and gestational age of your pregnancy. It also eliminates the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy (located outside the womb) which can be life-threatening to the mother.
We also offer consultations where you can ask questions about the pregnancy process and learn about local resources. We are here to empower and inform you, so contact us today so we can support you on this journey!