Women are Now Travelling to Other U.S States to Conduct Abortions

The Biden administration has sued Texas over the passed ‘Heartbeat Bill’ or ‘Fetal Heartbeat Bill’ or ‘Senate Bill 8’. In detail, the bill makes abortions illegal as soon as the embryonic or fetal heartbeat can be detected. “Our creator endowed us with the right to life, and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion,” Governor Greg Abbott said before signing the bill.

However, Attorney General Merrick Galand states, “the law is clearly unconstitutional under long-standing Supreme Court”. More so, many Republican-led states have tried to enact heartbeat bills or six-week bans and failed. This is due to the standard set in the Supreme Court’s Roe vs Wade decision.

Specifically, the decision prohibits states from banning abortion in the first trimester. In particular, most women say that they are not even aware that they are pregnant in the first six weeks. With all this said, Real Research conducted a survey to hear the public thoughts on the heartbeat bill. Here are the results.

Highlights

• The greatest risk associated with the heartbeat bill is that women are going to travel to other states to have an abortion.
• The price of pregnancy test kits and morning-after pills should decrease.
• 40.10% say that passing the heartbeat bill definitely reduces women’s abortion rates.

Women are Travelling to Other U.S States to Conduct Abortions

There is a real panic in the city of Texas, U.S after the Supreme Court passed the heartbeat bill, also known as the Texas senate bill 8. Firstly, Fund Texas Choice, a non-profit organization that helps pay for travel and other expenses for patients seeking out-of-state abortions has seen an increase in calls. More so, Oklahoma clinics received more than double the number of typical inquiries. Two-thirds of them are from Texas.

In particular, the Real Research survey asked respondents what is the greatest risk associated with the Texas heartbeat law. 38.06% say ‘Travelling to abort to other states in the U.S’. Following after, 8.48% state that ‘Over-reporting is possible due to lawsuit compensation against illegal abortion providers and assistants’. Furthermore, 3.30% note that ‘It violates women’s rights, thus their lives will be destroyed’.

Meanwhile, the majority (41.76%) say they are not sure of the risks that might be associated with the Texas abortion law. Throughout 2020, the number of abortions performed on Texas residents out-of-state nearly doubled, from 654 the year before to 1,226, according to data from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Reportedly the numbers are set to increase resulting from the Texas heartbeat law.

To add on, 2.51% think that ‘Relying on illegal surgery can put one’s health at risk’. While 2.17% worry that ‘Child abuse rates may increase after unwanted pregnancy’. Also, 1.70% say there are no risks associated with the passing on of the bill.

Read Also: Couples’ Birth Plans: Over 60% Were Affected by Covid-19

An Outcry for a Decrease in Pregnancy Tests and Morning After Pills Price

To begin with, in some countries contraception services might be free. However, in the majority of the world, women have to pay a certain amount for these services. Reportedly in Texas, most Plan B packages range from $30-50. Therefore, women are resorting to constant pregnancy tests and extra contraceptives as a result. However, many are seeking free contraceptives and pregnancy tests.

Real Research went on to ask what can be done to improve social awareness regarding the Texas senate bill 8 or heartbeat bill. Firstly, 36.91% state that ‘Halve the price of pregnancy tests and morning-after pills’. Secondly, 20.52% say ‘Practice active contraception and strengthen sex education’.

Then, ‘Prohibit discrimination against women who have had abortions (14.11%) and ‘There is a strong need to raise awareness for single mothers and further support them’ (9.43%). Lastly, (7.70%) state that ‘Make maternity leave mandatory for pregnant parents’. With all this said, there is a need to recognize various problems that affect women and propose solutions.

The signing of the bill opens a new frontier for abortion restrictions. The Texas abortion law is a top priority for Republican lawmakers, nearly all of whom signed on as an author or sponsor of the measure. However, abortion rights advocates have promised to challenge the new law.

Read Also: Public Opinion on In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) of Single Women

The ‘Heartbeat Bill’ Definitely Reduces Women’s Abortion Rates

Moving on, does the public think that passing the Heartbeat bill reduces abortion rates. The majority, 40.10% of the survey respondents say that passing the heartbeat bill says ‘Yes, definitely’ reduces abortion rates. To add on, 15.46% note that it is ‘Most Likely’ to reduce women’s abortion rates.

Additionally, 4.63% say it’s more or less the same, and 2.92% say ‘No, it will rather be increased’. On the other hand, 36.89% expressed that they are not sure. Therefore, more than half of the respondents are for the idea that the Texas abortion law is going to reduce abortion rates.

Meanwhile, The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reported 15,780 children in foster care as of April 2021. The effect of banning abortions is an increase in unwanted children who require foster care. Women who can’t afford to raise a child will resort to the state’s childcare system. With more pressure on the deteriorating system, taxpayers will take the heat to support thousands of displaced children.

To add on, 35.77% of the respondents are certain that other cities and countries are going to follow similar measures and authorize the heartbeat bill. Following after is ‘Most likely’ (16.80%) ‘Not sure’ (41.44%). On the other hand, 6.71% say ‘No, they will not’.

The Texas abortion law is one of the most restrictive in the US and the entire developed world. In particular, the U.S State legislatures have passed at least 90 laws restricting the abortion procedure and 12 bans in 2021 so far. Hence, this shows that other states and countries might also follow suit in implementing the same measures.

Read Also: Mental Health Issues and Mental Illness – Public Survey Results

52.68% Are Aware of the Heartbeat Bill Yet Only 34.98% Are in Agreement With It

The Real Research results have shown that 52.68% of the respondents are well aware of the Texas ban on abortion after 6 weeks. Meanwhile, 47.32% are not aware of the heartbeat bill. Real Research further went on to ask the respondents if they are in agreement with the Texas heartbeat law. Highly agree (34.98%), Somewhat agree (13.26%), and Neutral (38.56%). Additionally, Somewhat disagree (5.39%) and Highly disagree (7.81%).

In conclusion, abortion laws vary around the world. Some countries have outright bans while others maintain highly restrictive laws. The passing on of the heartbeat bill in Texas which prohibits the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy is one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation. Activists say Texans, like everyone else in this country, should be able to count on safe abortion care in their own state. No one should be forced to drive hundreds of miles or be made to continue a pregnancy against their will.