Advocates argued that due to the substantial population of individuals in their reproductive years lacking health insurance and the absence of state programs offering options such as Plan B, emergency contraception is not easily obtainable, particularly for those with the lowest income in Texas.
Abbott stated during a pre-recorded segment of Lone Star Politics that if rape victims promptly seek medical assistance, they can obtain the Plan B pill, which has the potential to prevent an unintended pregnancy. This course of action will guarantee that the perpetrator of the crime will be apprehended and brought to justice when the incident is reported to law enforcement.
Emergency contraception primarily works by preventing fertilization, with varying levels of effectiveness. It can be taken up to five days after sex to prevent pregnancy.
Abbott expressed his desire to provide assistance to the affected individuals, ensuring that they promptly receive medical attention and are able to report the incident in cases of sexual assault.
Abbott stated that the objective of the state was to eradicate sexual assault, following the enactment of Senate Bill 8 in September of last year, which prohibited abortions after approximately six weeks of gestation and did not include allowances for cases of rape or incest.
Eze Renae, spokesperson for Abbott Texans, was asked about how the state planned to provide emergency contraception to low-income individuals. Renae stated, “We urge any rape victim to immediately access medical care offered at emergency rooms and hospitals, where they can get the necessary medication to prevent pregnancy.”
Some studies have suggested that emergency contraception containing levonorgestrel, like Plan B, may be less effective for people who weigh more than 170 pounds, the average weight of women in the country over the age of 18.
In 2020, Texas was positioned 16th in the country in terms of the overall count of forcible sexual assault incidents per person.
Emilee Whitehurst, CEO of the Houston Area Women’s Center, stated that at hospitals, the actual number of reported rapes is not significant compared to the higher number of victims seeking treatment.
Whitehurst added that it was disrespectful to suggest that victims of sexual assault should depend on Plan B as a means to avoid pregnancies, considering the existing risks they already endure. She further mentioned that the individuals accountable for the abortion prohibition in Texas have severely limited the choices available to victims of sexual assault. However, emergency contraception should not be considered as a replacement for access to abortion in any manner.
“Whitehurst suggested that B Plan could potentially serve as a substitute for abortion care, which represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the biology and realities of our lives.”
Emergency contraception is priced at $50 at a pharmacy, and it can be bought without a prescription. The burden of this extra cost falls on individuals without insurance, although certain insurance policies do cover the expense of emergency contraception.
A single parent with three children who earns less than $400 per month would qualify for Medicaid. This is due in part to Texas having one of the lowest eligibility standards in the country and not expanding Medicaid. Texas had the highest rate in the nation for women of childbearing age without health insurance in the fourth quarter of 2017.
In addition to the lack of coverage, the Texas Healthy Women Program and the Family Planning Program in Texas do not provide emergency contraception programs that specifically target women’s health care.
Title X clinics are the only remaining few options for low-income individuals to access emergency contraception at an affordable cost. These clinics are federally funded and operate in every community to provide reproductive health services.
“Fantasy-like mindset,” stated Whitehurst, ensures immediate availability of emergency contraception. She noted that young individuals who have experienced sexual assault, specifically, will encounter difficulties in obtaining that type of contraception.
Whitehurst stated that the current situation for women regarding abortion is extremely difficult, as it is both unmanageable and inaccessible, lacking affordability and easy availability.