The new abortion law in Texas fully goes against the rights women have been fighting for and ultimately forces women to make a decision about their health very swiftly. If a woman was raped, being told she would have to carry her rapist’s baby to full term would be heart wrenching and cause emotional turmoil. This is what is happening to women in Texas under a law titled the S.B 8. This law also does not make exceptions to women that have been raped or have fallen victim to incest. Women have until a fetal heartbeat is detected at normally around 6 weeks to make a life changing decision. By the time a woman’s period is missed she is normally 5 weeks pregnant, leaving her a short time to make a final decision about her life.

If you choose to not abide by the law, the consequences could cost you thousands, which for women of color and low-income communities can be a price they are not willing to suffer. Doctors, nurses, rideshare services, insurance companies, home health aids, etc could all be sued for being seen as being involved in the abortion process. Health care providers then lose their medical license and the plaintiff then can receive $10,000 and court fees. This means that your sources of help are now gone because instead of being supported, you’re in constant fear and judgement.

In 1973 the United States passed a constitutional law titled Roe v. Wade which allows women a constitutional right to have a safe and legal abortion. According to the World Health Orginazation, 1 in 3 women die of unsafe abortions per year. Having laws in place to stop abortion does not nessciarly mean that is going to happen, but it does mean women of the less fortunate will perform unsafe abortions putting their lives at risk. The Department of Justice sued Texas on September 9, 2021 for stating that S.B.8 goes against Roe v. Wade and that went against the direct constitution of the law.

Being a woman myself, this law makes me fear that the access and rights of women’s health are going backwards instead of advancing. The New York Times reports that Kristi L. Noem, the governor of North Dakota, is having the law reviewed for her state. Other states like Florida are also trying to find a form of this law to implement. The rapid movement of this law shows that any state can be next in trying to implement it. Women are in an all time need of support, especially in times like this when their health is being threatened and not being able to make the decision that’s best for them.