Browsing: Planned Parenthood

Baylor students and Waco residents alike have strongly differing opinions about Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling concerning Texas abortion laws. Some celebrate the national and local effects of the upholding of Texas abortion restrictions, while others look ahead in anticipation of the progression of a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood opposing the restrictions.

Gov. Rick Perry signed Texas House Bill 2 into law July 18. The bill, which will go into effect Oct. 29, places restrictions on abortion clinics. These restrictions have the potential to increase women’s health and safety during this procedure. While we support the right to life, this law is a step in the right direction.

Abortion clinics in Texas will not be allowed to administer abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, which is four weeks shy of the standard set by Roe v. Wade. The reasoning behind this statement is that the unborn child could potentially feel pain after the 20-week mark of pregnancy. This is reasonable, as research supports this claim.

Texas Planned Parenthood abortion providers and affiliates have filed a joint lawsuit in federal court to block two provisions of a recently passed bill, Texas House Bill 2, which would place certain restrictions on abortion clinics, effective Oct. 29. The case will be heard on Oct. 21.

“We are challenging the provisions of the bill that will have the most immediate and far-reaching impact on women in our community and in our state,” said Natalie Kelinske, media representative for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas and Waco.

Planned Parenthood supporters rallied on the Capitol steps Thursday in the hopes of reinstating the Medicaid Women’s Health Program.

This Medicaid program was replaced by the Texas Women’s Health Program on Jan. 1. This program cut family planning funding and led to the closure of 53 Planned Parenthood centers across the state.

Women’s health has been the surprising topic of much debate in this year’s political climate. The latest development, a dispute between the state of Texas and the federal government over funding for the Women’s Health Program, has raised both eyebrows and projected levels of state spending for the next fiscal year.