Senate Bill 5 — the omnibus abortion legislation that Republican lawmakers are racing to approve before the special session ends Tuesday night — has been labeled as among the strictest abortion regulations in the country.
This interactive shows which of the 42 abortion facilities in Texas would meet the stricter regulatory standards in SB 5. The facilities marked in yellow are ambulatory surgical centers, which would meet the regulatory standards in SB 5, while the facilities marked in blue are medical clinics that would not meet the standards. The table below compares the ban on abortions 20 weeks after fertilization in SB 5 with the legal timeframes for abortion set by other states.
State | Type of Ban | Law Status |
---|
Though most physicians calculate the stage of a woman's pregnancy based on her last menstrual period, SB 5 would do it post-fertilization — a difference of two weeks.
California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming allow abortions until a doctor determines the fetus is viable. North Dakota will allow abortions up to that point until a new six-week ban kicks in Aug. 1. Though that date can vary, the point of viability typically falls around 26 weeks after the last menstrual period — 24 weeks after fertilization. For comparison purposes, those states are labeled as allowing abortions up to that point.
SB 5 would also require abortion facilities in Texas to meet state ambulatory surgical center standards, but the stringency of those standards can vary from state to state. Texas’ standards fall on the stricter side, said Elizabeth Nash, a policy analyst at the Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit that researches reproductive health and abortion issues.
The state Senate has until the end of the day Tuesday to pass SB 5.
The Texas Tribune is pleased to provide the opportunity for you to share your observations about this story. We encourage lively debate on the issues of the day, but we ask that you refrain from using profanity or other offensive speech, engaging in personal attacks or name-calling, posting advertising, or wandering away from the topic at hand. To comment, you must be a registered user of the Tribune, and your real name will be displayed. Thanks for taking time to offer your thoughts.
Comments (56)
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
You mean the same kind of 'strict' regulatory requirements that ANY day surgery center is required to meet. Are women getting an abortion (involving significant vascular elements) deserving of a lesser standard of care than the old guy getting a colonoscopy? Should chemical abortions actually NOT follow FDA'S own recommendation on how they are done? How is that 'quality' health care?
Should not the abortion clincis be upgraded to clinical standards?
Possibly THAT should be the point of discussion.
Edie Clark via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Childbirth is far more risky than an abortion, but women can give birth at home without a physician, and I don't see any legislation to require that all births be in hospitals. Clearly this bill has nothing to do with improving women's health.
Nnyl Padron via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Yea Mike, so why doesnt the GOP quit trying to defund these clinics if they really believed in that point of discussion? Wouldn't funding them allow for better healthcare? The mission is clear less funding, and less clinics equals less women's rights.
Paul Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This issue is ironic: normally, it's the democrats who are about stricter regulations and republicans about personal freedoms.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If you still desire an unregulated "quickie express" no questions asked abortion, travel the 10-500 miles to Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, or New Mexico and rip that clump of cells out from your uterine wall. The point of Federalism is to allow each state to be an experiment, what works in one state should be emulated and what fails should be rejected. If Texas law is an absolute failure, they can become more like New York. Hell, maybe there will be a restriction to 7 round magazines someday too, but until that day, LET FEDERALISM WORK.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Or hell, you could even go to Mexico...
Carly Rose Jackson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
There are a number of states that have a 20-week ban, so what about the Texas bill is more restrictive than any other states' laws?
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
"Forced birth" is un-American. Why the Texas GOP wants to become blood brothers with Taliban ideologies is anyone's guess, but we can assume that their egos are the size of their ignorance.
Nnyl Padron via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If that is the case then why are Republicans trying to change the law as it is? The laws these republican lawmakers want in place regarding womens healthcare are trying to regress. Why should women across the state be a government experiment? And by individuals speaking up we are allowing DEMOCRACY TO WORK!
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
88% of all abortions are in the first trimester, the procedure takes about 20 minutes and a woman has menstrual cramps and bleeding for a few days
Mirian Spencer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If it were really about health care, why would we as Texana deny the expansion of Medicaid? If it were about protecting the health of women they would do everything in their power to expand the women's health facility options so that more women could receive wellness checks and cancer screenings. Since all that cut it's clear this is just to pander to their conservative base.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Nothing ironic about securing the rights of the individual.
Jack's Stuff via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Another state had their 20 week law deemed unconstitutional yesterday. This legislation will cost the taxpayer's millions in litigation. Why waste the money? Oh yea, to get votes.
Paul Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
That's what I'm saying Rob. Women should have the right to do as they wish with their bodies and health. Or do you argue that an unborn fetus has individual rights?
Casey McKinney via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Rethuglicans want to regulate women's bodies but not guns. Go figure.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Ok, "regress" what is progress and where is progress going? What is the final station this progress train pulls into? Why can no Progressive ever answer that question? Where does this "Fundamental Transformation" lead? This law is in reaction to the atrocities of Hermit Gosnell and Douglas Karpen. When you snip the back of a live baby's neck shortly after birth, the laws must change and the culture must change as well. When you keep baby feet in a jar on your desk, when your assistance don't even know it's wrong what is being done, when no one in the clinic has a soul any longer, it's time to write a law that forbids this kind of action.
As for your government experiment comment... are you an idiot? Every local, regional, and national government is an experiment around the world. Enact a law, see the effects, adjust accordingly. Government by nature is an experiment, if it wasn't we'd all live in utopia because all problems would have been solved ages ago and there would be no need for any other system of government. Federalism is the answer, let States... not states decide their own course.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Also, nowhere in our federal papers are we guaranteed a democratic form of government. We are a Republic and Democracy is mob rule and fails every single time it is tried.
Casey McKinney via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Until the fetus is no longer a fetus, it is part of the woman's body. It is not a separate entity.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Exactly, the state of Texas is saying, after 20 weeks, the "fetus" otherwise known as a baby has individual rights just the same as the mother. If you've chosen to carry this baby to 20 weeks, you are obligated by law to see him/her be born, sorry. Your individual rights do not trump the baby's individual rights at the 20 week mark.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Ok, then problem solved, 88% of abortions are still allowed, the 12% that remain deserve more scrutiny as the individual rights of the child must be considered after 20 weeks.
Kelly Grossman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A child always dies when a woman has an abortion so no it's not safe.
Kelly Grossman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Then why does it have it's own unique DNA? It's own organs?
Ruth Pennebaker via Texas Tribune on Facebook
now it even has its own apostrophes
Nakia Winfield via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If the baby has individual rights, the the baby should go exercise them somewhere the fuck else. You know, out of my womb.
Nakia Winfield via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Prescriptions are rarely written at the FDA recommended dose. The FDA recommended dose is the maximum dosage that is considered safe. That doesn't mean it's the dosage that you want, or the dosage that is safest. The FDA max of this drugs is very difficult on a women's body and doesn't get the job done any less than the standard prescribed dose. Why would you want to prescribe 3 times the dose that is needed?
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
For starters, because a classic study done in Oregon- as well as a couple other studies- have shown availability of Medicaid over uninsured DOES NOT IMPROVE MEDICAL OUTCOME.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
LOL, good one Kelly, nailed it.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Oh come on Ruth, let's pick apart someone's grammar as they state a fact. That is a cop out and a weak move on your part.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Casey, so when does "it" became a human being? Gosnell and Karpen would have you believe that "it" is not a separate entity until "it" can make "its" own peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Read the Constitution regarding guns Casey. As far as abortions, it's a civil rights issue and we as a society need to determine when a baby is a human being and deserving of civil rights protection. If you believe a baby is not a human being until they can tie their own shoes, than that is your belief, but majority rules and we need to have a discussion as to when a human being is formed.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Why waste money, let's let all progressive ideas just take over our society. We fight for an individual's right to live. I would fight for your rights just as I would fight for a child's rights.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Change the language, change the argument. Typical progressive tactic. It's not "Pro-choice" now it's "Forced Birth". Stop being a robot Luisa.
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Stop being a fascist shoving your beliefs down someone else's throat, Rob
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
When he did an abortion, especially an over 20 week abortion, most of the time the fetus would come completely out before he cut the spinal cord or he introduced one of the instruments into the soft spot of the fetus, in order to kill the fetus, said Deborah Edge http://www.lifenews.com/2013/05/15/another-gosnell-report-shows-texas-abortion-doc-kills-babies-born-alive/
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The day surgery center I've gone to does not receive state tax money. The question of WHERE the money comes from is the issue. Most Texans consider a 'morally gray' situation something that Tax money need not fund. Private contribution are the purview of the individual. No tax money goes to my charitable efforts (which include care of my two adopted daughters in Africa, both of which would have likely ended up being suctioned in an abortion-centric society. Heck, most of the work I do isn't even tax deductible, as I work DIRECTLY with my kids now.
I have been in and out of the medical community a LOT (medical lab and pathology)- including pre-Roe when abortions were STILL being done in most places, but in a purely clinical environment. As such, I can visualize things from the practical end of this. I can visualized the 'tissue' results of 3 months of current abortion policy in Texas; a pile of human flesh with lots of tiny arms and legs sticking out. A pile that weight TONS. I am a realist that the pile is never going to disappear, but it would be nice to get it down to where it would fit in the trunk of a car. And if you can't deal with such imagery, you cannot deal with the reality of it. As I PERSONALLY deal with the reality of unwanted children in environments with VASTLY fewer resource to deal with them.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I'd prefer they defund these clinics personally.
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Good try but the rcommended talking about MAXIMAL dose are written as that; the MAXIMUM to be prescribe. WHat we are talking about is the recommended followup of a doctor visit after use of a chemical abortion drug. And that ALWAYS should be required, as part of QUALITY health care (but that's not what this is about, is it; it's about the CONVENIENCE of abortion. Sorry, REAL health care isn't always 'convenient'.)
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Women cannot commit abortions on themselves; it is a MEDICAL procedure with potential complications. It falls under the clinical realm.
Mirian Spencer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Rob they already do not receive funding from the state so that's not the issue.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Nakia, please leave the state of Texas, we only want people with souls here.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And you nailed it Mike, convenience, if it's still legal but made inconvenient then we at least go back to Clinton's idea of what abortion should be.
"Abortion should not only be safe and legal, it should be rare."
BILL CLINTON, speech at DNC, Aug. 29, 1996
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Uhh, another point to make. Half of the passenger (and rightfully, half of the responsibility of the outcome) of that fetus is someone else's bailiwick as well. not many self-induced pregnancies out there. As we all know, TOO MANY men shirk their responsibilities in this area. But there are those of us who not only take on out own responsibilities for procreation, but have picked up the slack for others. Just another aspect of this discussion.
Rob D Wiltzius via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Thanks Mike, I was indifferent to abortion until I witnessed the first pregnancy with my wife. I went to the ultrasounds and heard the heartbeat and I became aware of the real cruelty of what we have been doing for 40 years and 50 million dead babies.
Mirian Spencer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Ok so once the baby is born will the state pick up the tab for all expenses related to rearing the child? Of course not. That's my issue. We continue to talk about the woman's health and pro-life, but once she's incubated the baby like God intended and then we force her and the kid to figure it out. We underfund nutrition programs, shots, education and housing but we've spent millions if not billions on insuring babies are born. How is that pro-life?
Casey McKinney via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I think you need to keep your opinion out of my uterus.
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Child birth is a natural process that does NOT normally require a medical intervention; an abortion is a medical intervention. BTW: our group called for essentially the SAME clinical standards for childbirth centers several months ago,. Here is the letter from our legislative chairman (who has family that works in the field). http://robertjsmithtx.com/blog/?p=296
It does INDEED have to do with women's health- and protecting women for situations that get anywhere close to Gosnell or Deleware.
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I have been in and out of the medical community a LOT (medical lab and pathology)- including pre-Roe when abortions were STILL being done in most places, but in a purely clinical environment. As such, I can visualize things from the practical end of this. I can visualized the 'tissue' results of 3 months of current abortion policy in Texas; a pile of human flesh with lots of tiny arms and legs sticking out. A pile that weight TONS. I am a realist that the pile is never going to disappear, but it would be nice to get it down to where it would fit in the trunk of a car. And if you can't deal with such imagery, you cannot deal with the reality of your 'rights'. As I PERSONALLY deal with the reality of unwanted children in environments with VASTLY fewer resource to deal with them (adopted daughters in Africa).
Lisa Buentello via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Rob, if it was only about the will of the majority, minorities would still be fighting for representation and the right to vote (oh, wait, we are still fighting that fight). The U.S. was created, and the constitution drafted, to protect the freedom of minorities from the tyranny of the majority.
Bill Barnes
Wendy Davis is to be admired for even attempting a 13 hour filibuster, much less complete it.
The women of Texas should start a movement to run her for governor
Michelle Hawk via Texas Tribune on Facebook
my main concern is that teenagers can have abortions without parental consent.....if a 15 year old can't get a tattoo, piercing, or even have a tooth pulled without parental consent....how can they allow her to have a surgical procedure like an abortion without parental consent?
Michelle Hawk via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If my daughter has an abortion then gets septic and dies....I would've never known how to help her get aftercare because I wouldn't know why she got sick
Michelle Hawk via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I hope Senator bitch has to deal with a situation like that.....I hope your daughter has an abortion then commits suicide.....It'll be God getting vengeance......then you could see how wrong it is
Michelle Hawk via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I had an abortion as a teen.....pressure from my boyfriend....secrecy.....led me to be suicidal.....I've battled with depression over it for 10 years.....I wish it had been illegal to take the pressure off of me.....The same peer pressure that gets teens to try sex & drugs....gets teens to have abortions that make them hate themselves........Thank You Jesus Christ for saving me and showing me to forgive myself..........I am a proud mother of 3 now
Michelle Hawk via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I apologize that was an emotional outburst .....I don't wish that on anybody......but seriously the girls that are most impacted by this are not speaking at the podium....They are to riddled with shame and guilt
Kaela Hardin
Child birth is a natural process that a woman's body is meant to accomplish. An induced abortion is not a natural process and no it is not like pulling a splinter out, it is an invasive procedure and should be treated as such. I don't see how having a higher standard is bad. In any other area people would be thrilled to see health being held to a higher standard.
ANDREA ROBERTS
http://www.sensingplace.com/2013/07/mapping-choice-dispatch-from-border-of.html