a Post-Roe Question posed to an Abortion-Banned State

Answer:

When a girl is experiencing an unexpected pregnancy, she will often go somewhere to get another pregnancy test - just to make sure - and to have someone with her when it comes out positive.  If she goes into Planned Parenthood, they will charge her $20-40 for the test, and $300 for the ultrasound. They do not tell her that she can get a pregnancy test and ultrasound for free right next door.  Then they will ask her if she is interested in having an abortion.  They will present her with information about organizations that help pay for girls to travel to other states to abort.  They connect her to free bus or plane fare, money for meals, hotel, whatever she needs to abort.  They do not tell  her about the pregnancy care centers and all the help that is available to her if she chooses to carry or place for adoption.  The Albuquerque (NM) Planned Parenthood is their recommendation site - keeping the business in the company.  New Mexico is the closest state where abortion is legal.

A few things to know.... We have spoken to girls who have gotten this "help" and have confirmed all the money that they throw at these girls.  One girl's water heater broke, and she had water all over her apartment.  She couldn't get on the plane to go to her abortion, but they said they would not change any of the arrangements.  If she didn't get on the plane, they weren't going to help her.  Fortunately, she did not go, and she ended up choosing life through one of our pregnancy care centers.  

Another girl used the money to go to the abortion location out of town.  She changed her mind and wanted to keep the baby.  They told her that they would not give her a ticket to return to San Antonio unless she aborted.  They would literally abandon her there. She reached out to a Pro-Life advocate who was  willing to arrange for her airfare home, but the girl got cold feet and aborted.

So this is what we're up against.  If a girl goes into Planned Parenthood - who we call an abortion referral location - they will be given the option to abort.  They can't abort legally in Texas, but there are abortion pills that are very readily available through the mail.  (There are abortion pill websites all over the college campuses.)  Girls are taking these pills without ever seeing a doctor - before or after.  If we can be there on the sidewalk to meet the girl when she is in that very vulnerable window, and if we can convince her to go next door to the pregnancy care center, then we have a good chance of helping to save that mom and baby.   If we aren't out there, there would be no barrier to every girl going in to get referred for an out-of-state abortion.

We have been in contact with advocates who stand outside abortion locations in New Mexico, and the parking lots are full of Texas-plate cars.  

So between referrals and mail-order abortion pills, we are definitely not abortion-free.

We are grateful for the Human Life Protection Act in Texas.  However, the behavior that causes unexpected pregnancies has not stopped, so there will continue to be girls in crisis.  We must remain vigilant to help them.  Right now we refer an average of 3-4 moms a week from the sidewalk to the pregnancy care center for tests and ultrasounds.  They are still coming, and they still need help!

— SAN ANTONIO COALITION FOR LIFE  Cathy Nix, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Guadalupe Radio Interview - October 10, 2022