The National Abortion Federation (NAF), a coalition of abortion providers, has stated that it will stop funding and referring patients to Texas abortion businesses that abort preborn babies older than six weeks.
Texas’ law restricting abortion to the first six weeks of pregnancy (four weeks since fertilization) is set to take effect on September 1. Though at this age that the heartbeat is usually “detectable,” the preborn child’s heart has already been beating since about 22 days post-fertilization. At this point, the baby’s brain and spinal cord have also begun to develop, according to the Endowment for Human Development.
Because of the new law, some abortion businesses in the state will stop committing abortions altogether, according to the Houston Chronicle, which reported that 54,000 abortions took place in Texas in 2020. Those that do continue to commit abortions beyond the six-week mark will reportedly not receive funding from NAF, and the Texas Equal Action Fund will “pause” its ride share program that shuttles women to their abortion appointments.
READ: Abortion groups file ‘unusual’ lawsuit over Texas abortion restriction
Some abortionists, like Planned Parenthood abortionist Dr. Bhavik Kumar, are rushing to abort as many preborn babies as possible before the law goes into effect. In the meantime, abortionists are trying to prevent the law from going into effect through the courts. Under the law, citizens can sue any abortionist who commits an illegal abortion.
“This is a new approach, and it’s going to open up new opportunities,” said John Seago, legislative director for Texas Right to Life. “It’s a different battlefield than what we typically have with pro-life laws, and that’s why we’re optimistic.”
Kumar said that most Planned Parenthood patients will be referred out of state for abortions, though the abortion giant will try to continue the abortion of preborn children younger than six weeks. He called the law “senseless” but said abortion businesses “have to comply” or risk being sued.
Though abortion businesses say they will comply with the new law, there is skepticism, leading the NAF to notify abortion businesses that it would remove funding from any abortion businesses defying the restriction.
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