Progress Texas is a rapid response media organization promoting progressive messages and actions. While campaigns come and go, we’re the permanent home for progressive media and action in our state. We specialize in message development, online campaigns, creative content, and media amplification for the progressive movement.

Roevolution is our latest online campaign focused on mobilizing Texans to vote for pro-abortion candidates in every election at every level. Roe v. Wade has been overturned and it’s up to us to fight back. We are the majority—and together we have the strength to form a massive resistance. Sign our pledge to join the Roevolution and vote for pro-abortion candidates. 

The following information is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical or legal advice.

CONTENTS

• Explainer: What the law says about abortion in Texas
• Abortion Infrastructure in Texas: Abortion Funds and Advocacy Organizations
• Legal Resources
• Educational Resources

Explainer: What Texas law says about abortion

House Bill 1280: Texas Trigger Law

Texas is one of more than a dozen states that have passed trigger laws that would further restrict abortion following a U.S. Supreme Court judgment overruling Roe v. Wade. Texas’ trigger law becomes effective 30 days after the overturning of Roe. It would make abortion completely illegal, the only exception being if a pregnancy would kill or severely injure the pregnant woman. HB 1280 would make it a second-degree felony for a person who performs, induces, or attempts an abortion, with the penalty increasing to a first-degree infraction if the abortion is successful. The law also adds a fine of at least $100,000 for each offense. Similar to SB 8, the pregnant person themselves is exempt from criminal charges.

House Bill 3508

On a positive note, Texas lawmakers passed HB 3508, effective Sept. 1, 2023, which established legal defense to healthcare providers who treat the common pregnancy complications of ectopic pregnancies and previable premature rupture of membranes. This law requires doctors and pharmacists to demonstrate they exercised reasonable medical judgement in providing medical treatment. This defense would extend to the Texas Medical Board and criminal prosecution, further protecting healthcare providers.

Additional Restrictions

Parental Consent

Texas requires permission from a parent or legal guardian for anyone under the age of 18 to obtain an abortion. If a minor cannot get the permission of a parent or legal guardian they can seek a judicial bypass to waive the requirement for parental consent. Call or text Jane's Due Process (866-999-5263) for help with the judicial bypass process.

Health Insurance Laws

Texas law forbids private insurers from covering abortion as part of an overall health insurance plan, unless the abortion is needed to save a pregnant person from death or serious physical injury. Military insurance and Medicaid also only cover abortion in cases of rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions.

Abortion Travel Bans

Anti-abortion activists, backed by 20 Texas lawmakers, organized around ordinances that would impose private lawsuits and penalties on interstate travel for anyone who knowingly transports Texans seeking abortions. They have mobilized in conservative regions along the border, and highway concentrations of Texas, primarily Lubbock, Odessa, and Northeast Texas. These cities were targeted with fear-mongering tactics about this legislation which is unenforceable and infringes on constitutional rights to interstate travel and privacy.

Abortion Infrastructure in Texas

Abortion Funds

For a national clinic directory visit ineedana.com or abortionfinder.org.

Lilith Fund | lilithfund.org

Instagram and Twitter @lilithfund

The oldest abortion fund in Texas, Lilith Fund serves the central and southern regions of Texas with direct financial assistance for abortion care. Their English language hotline is open between the hours of 7 AM and 10 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

English (1-877-659-4304) | Español: (1-877-355-1461)

Texas Equal Access Fund | teafund.org

Instagram @teafund | Twitter @TEAFund

TEA Fund provides funding to low-income people living in north, east, and west Texas who want an abortion and cannot afford it. Grants are an average of $300 paid directly to the clinic after the procedure. Call their helpline (1-888-854-4852) and leave a message on Mondays or Thursdays between the hours of 7 AM and 10 AM, a volunteer will return you call within 24 hours. 

West Fund | westfund.org

Instagram and Twitter @westfundtx

Provides funding for abortion services in El Paso and West Texas. Call or text their English/Spanish helpline (915-213-4634) for help and they will return your message in 24-48 hours.

La Frontera Fund | fronterafundrgv.org

Instagram @fronterafundrgv | Twitter @LaFronteraFund

Frontera Fund provides financial and practical support for individuals in the Rio Grande Valley seeking abortion care. Typically funds anywhere between $100 - $600. Contact them at 956-887-0706.

Buckle Bunnies | bucklebunnies.org

Instagram @bucklebunniesfundtx | Twitter @BBFundTX

BB Fund provides financial assistance for abortion services across Texas. To request help fill out a short google form found on their website.

Fund Texas Choice | fundtexaschoice.org

Instagram @fundtexaschoice | Twitter @FundTexasChoice

Provides in-state and out-of-state travel assistance to Texas residents seeking an abortion. Fund Texas Choice will help with both accomodation (hotels) and transportation needs. Leave a message at 1-844-900-8908 and expect to receive a call back within 1-2 business days.

The Bridge Collective | thebridgecollective.org

Instagram @thebridgecollective | Twitter @TheBridgeATX

Helps people within 100 miles of Austin get to and from their abortion appointments. The Bridge Collective also provides kits with emergency contraception and pregnancy tests. Fill out intake and request forms on their website. 

S.Y.S. (Support Your Sistah) | https://www.theafiyacenter.org

The Afiya Centers practical support fund, S.Y.S provides funding for abortion doulas, childcare assistance, lodging, meals, transportation, and financial assistance for procedure. Call the S.Y.S hotline (469-978-7710) Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 AM to 12 PM.

Clinic Access Support Network (CASN) | www.clinicaccess.org

Instagram and Twitter @casnhtx

CASN provides transportation, meal stipends, accommodations, and childcare assistance to people seeking abortion services in Houston. Call or text 281-947-2276 to receive assistance. 

National Abortion Federation | https://prochoice.org/patients/naf-hotline/ 

Instagram @nationalabortionfederation | Twitter @NatAbortionFed

The NAF Hotline Fund operates the largest multi-lingual hotline for abortion referrals and financial assistance in the U.S. and Canada. NAF provides callers with accurate information, confidential consultation, referrals to providers of quality abortion care, case management services and limited financial assistance.

NAF Hotline (1-800-772-9100) | NAF Referral Line (1-877-257-0012)

National Network of Abortion Funds | abortionfunds.org

Instagram and Twitter @abortionfunds

Connects you with abortion funding sources nearest to you. 

Advocacy Organizations

ACLU of Texas | aclutx.org

Instagram @aclutx | Twitter @ACLUTx

Provides legal assistance in cases where civil liberties may be at risk, including filing on behalf of abortion providers and funds in Whole Woman’s Health V. Jackson.

The Afiya Center | theafiyacenter.org

Instagram @theafiyacenter | Twitter @TheAfiyaCenter

The only reproductive justice organization in North Texas founded and directed by Black womxn. The Afiya Center works to transform the lives, health, and overall wellbeing of Black womxn and girls by providing refuge, education, and resources.

Avow | avowtexas.org

Instagram and Twitter @avowtexas

Avow is an unapologetic abortion adovcacy organization that works to secure unrestricted abortion access for every Texan. They provide trainings for people new to the abortion rights movement.

Deeds Not Words | deedsnotwords.com 

Instagram @deedsnotwords | Twitter @DeedsActionFund

Fosters young leaders in Texas through opportunities in organizing, policy-making, art, and voting. They have trained over 500 young women to provide testimony and lobby against bad legislation at the Capitol.

National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice | latinainstitute.org

Instagram @latinainstitute | Twitter @LatinaInstitute

The Latina Institute builds Latina/x power through community building, policy advocacy, and storytelling to fight for equal access to reproductive health for Latina/x communities.

Planned Parenthood Texas Votes | pptexasvotes.org

Instagram @pptxvotes | Twitter @PPTXVotes

PPTV is the nonpartisan policy, advocacy and political arm of the three Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas that engages in electoral activity, legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, and leadership development. 

Texas Freedom Network | tfn.org

Instagram @txfreedomnetwork | Twitter @TFN

A grassroots organization of more than 150,000 religious and community leaders who support religious freedom, individual liberties and public education.

Whole Woman's Health Alliance | wholewomanshealthalliance.org

Instagram @wwhalliance | Twitter @WWHAlliance

The advocacy arm of Whole Woman’s Health clinics. They work to eradicate abortion stigma through mural projects, the abortion stigma relief fund, and more. 

Legal Resources

Jane’s Due Process | janesdueprocess.org

Instagram @janesdueprocess | Twitter @JanesDueProcess

Provides free legal support and 1-on-1 case management for pregnant Texas teens obtaining judicial bypass. And a text line for young people needing information on birth control and family planning services without parental involvement.

24/7 Hotline (1-866-999-5263)

Repro Legal Defense Fund | reprolegaldefensefund.org

Instagram @reprolegaldefensefund | Twitter @reprolegalfund

Covers bail and funds strong defenses for people who are investigated, arrested, or prosecuted for self-managed abortion.

If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice | ifwhenhow.org

Instagram and Twitter @ifwhenhow

Provides information and resources on legal rights including the defense fund above, a repro legal helpline and more.

Educational Resources

What is self-managed abortion (SMA)?

Self-managed abortion using pills, also known as medication abortion, is a safe method of terminating a pregnancy up to 11 weeks using two pills—mifepristone and misoprostol. Essentially, abortion pills induce a miscarriage. In fact, there is no way a doctor would know that medication was taken unless it was disclosed. 

Abortion pills have been FDA-approved for over 20 years and are very safe. Viagra and Tylenol are two common medications that most people don’t struggle to access. Yet, abortion pills are proven to be safer than both. Furthermore, SMA using these pills is effective and common. Studies have shown medication abortion to be 98% effective at terminating a pregnancy, and medication abortions account for more than half of all U.S. abortions.

There are two medication abortion methods:

Method One: Mifepristone and Misoprostol (1 Mife, 4 Miso)

You take a mifepristone pill first, followed by misoprostol pills 24 to 48 hours later. This is the most common and effective method of abortion with pills. This is the type of abortion with pills provided by clinics like Planned Parenthood.

Method Two: Misoprostol Only (12 Miso)

This is less effective (about 85% effective) than when mifepristone and misoprostol are both taken. Endorsed by the World Health Organization in places where mifepristone is not easily available. It is still very safe, and widely used around the world. 

Around the world, people are self-managing their abortions at home or somewhere they feel safe—with the control in their hands and surrounded by people they love. Self-managed abortion allows people to end a pregnancy on their own terms, and they should be able to do so without fear of being criminalized.

Visit plancpills.org or abortiononourownterms.org for more information on accessing abortion pills. 

What are other types of abortion?

Types of in-clinic abortion procedures, often called surgical abortions: 

Suction Abortion

Also called vacuum aspiration, it is the most common type of in-clinic abortion. It uses gentle suction to empty your uterus. It’s usually used until about 14-16 weeks after your last period.

Dilation & Evacuation (D & E)

A D & E abortion uses suction and medical tools to empty your uterus. You can get a D&E farther along in a pregnancy than suction abortionaspiration abortion, usually if it has been 16 weeks or longer since your last period.

In-clinic abortion procedures are extremely effective. They work 99 out of every 100 times. 

Polling on abortion

• 78% of Texas voters think abortion should be allowed in some form.
• A majority of Texas voters (54%) oppose a measure that automatically bans all abortion, with 42% strongly opposing the measure.
• Another poll shows that 70% of Americans oppose overturning Roe v. Wade.

Anti-abortion extremists do not represent the majority of Texans or Americans. Texans who support abortion access are the majority. We cannot sit by while radical, far-right politicians take away our freedoms and take control of our bodies. Join Progress Texas and pledge to vote for pro-abortion candidates who represent the majority of Texans. 

Sign our pledge here.