Blog: Women's Health and Reproductive Choice

Texas Heartbeat bill—what you can do to help women after SB 8

During this difficult time for Texas women needing abortions, you can help by donating to
groups that help women obtain services. It is important to remember that even under this bizarre
law, abortions are legal up to the time that a fetal heartbeat is detected. Clinics are following the
law. Further, the law only provides for liability in a civil action for someone who knowingly
aids and abets someone who obtains an abortion after the heartbeat is detected. As a donor, you
should be able to rely on the organization following the law.

Many Texas women will have to leave the state to obtain an abortion. Unfortunately, many
women will be unable to do that and will be forced to continue an unwanted or problem
pregnancy.

Groups that help Texas Women pay for abortions, include abortion funds such as the Texas
Equal Access Fund (TEA Fund), the Lilith Fund, and the AFIYA Center. Jane’s Due Process
does not fund abortions but helps minors access abortions principally through the judicial bypass
process. Organizations such as the Center for Reproductive Rights, the ACLU, and Planned
Parenthood are fighting this law in the Courts. AVOW Texas and NARAL are advocacy groups
that lobby and testify in opposition to these bad bills. All these organizations could use your
support.

This law is an abomination and has received national attention. You have probably read that the
Match Group CEO has started a fund for employees seeking abortions out of state and that
UBER and LYFT will pay legal fees for any drivers sued under this absurd law.
Hopefully, this law will soon be determined to be unconstitutional, and any enforcement
enjoined.