Texas Legislature Passes Extreme Ban on Abortion Coverage

Washington D.C. - The Texas House has passed a measure that, if enacted, would ban insurance coverage for safe, legal abortion.  This puts access to safe, legal abortion completely out of reach for many women facing barriers like low income women, women with disabilities, young women, and women of color.   

This is the third bill attacking access to abortion to pass the House during the special legislative session. Passed earlier this session, the first bill passed would impose onerous, medically-unnecessary reporting requirements on abortion providers. The second particularly targets minors access to safe, legal abortion. Gov. Abbott named each of these restrictions on his agenda for the session. Another of Abbott's priorities, which is likely to come up this week, targets access to care at Planned Parenthood health centers and programs.

Statement from Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund:

Texas is redefining the meaning of cruel and unusual by punishing women who already face enormous barriers to health care. When it comes to a decision about whether or not to end a pregnancy, it's important that a woman has health coverage so she can afford to make a real decision. It's wrong for politicians to be withholding health coverage just to try to stop women from having an abortion. These restrictions are hardest on those who already face the most barriers. Texans have been protesting since day one of this special session, and Governor Greg Abbott must listen and veto this dangerous bill. Women are being punished and Texans will not stand for it.

Statement from Yvonne Guttierez, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Texas Votes:

The utter disregard for women on display by extreme politicians in Texas is a disgrace. In a state with rising maternal mortality rates and the highest rate of uninsured, further restricting pregnant women’s access to health care is unacceptable. It is all the more outrageous that it’s done to score political points and not for the wellbeing of Texas women and families.

Texans have been protesting the Special Session since it was gavelled to order. On day one, more than 350 Texans gathered at the Capitol in the Austin summer heat to protest the extreme legislative agenda agenda of the special session. They have since continued to protest as session continued:

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists opposes the abortion coverage bans like this one.  

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.