"This is just the latest shameful example of state leaders playing politics with women's health," says Texas state representative Donna Howard. (Photo: Jordan Uhl/flickr/cc)
Jul 28, 2016
Women's health advocates in Texas are outraged over the contents of a misleading and state-mandated booklet that's handed out to women seeking an abortion.
According to the Austin Chronicle, "The error-ridden pamphlet, created by a 2003 abortion informed consent law, has been criticized for years for its myriad of medical inaccuracies and biased, ideologically-motivated misinformation, such as linking abortion and breast cancer (debunked by the National Cancer Institute), and promoting the idea that abortion inflicts psychological trauma and suicide, which is not recognized by the American Psychological Association."
Now, the Department of State Health Services has proposed several revisions to the booklet, titled A Woman's Right to Know, and is accepting public comments on the updates until Friday.
But according to the Texas Tribune, "The new draft doubles down on information highly contested by medical experts and the pro-abortion rights community, stoking the flames of a debate going back more than a decade."
The Tribune reports:
Among major changes, the new draft uses "your baby" when describing gestation development as early as four weeks, rather than medical terms, such as "fetus." The new version also highlights the suggestion that fetuses can begin feeling pain at 20 weeks--a claim contested by scientists--and displays risks associated with abortion more prominently, with death first on the list.
To that end, reproductive rights advocates on Wednesday delivered thousands of comments in opposition to the booklet and its revisions.
"This is just the latest shameful example of state leaders playing politics with women's health," Texas state representative Donna Howard said at a press conference held by NARAL Pro-Choice Texas.
Decrying the pamphlet as "propaganda," Howard said: "As a former registered nurse, I find it outrageous that the state requires health professionals to provide misleading and coercive information to patients."
The U.S. Supreme Court last month struck down key provisions of Texas' draconian 2013 law that would have forced all but nine abortion clinics in the state to close.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
Women's health advocates in Texas are outraged over the contents of a misleading and state-mandated booklet that's handed out to women seeking an abortion.
According to the Austin Chronicle, "The error-ridden pamphlet, created by a 2003 abortion informed consent law, has been criticized for years for its myriad of medical inaccuracies and biased, ideologically-motivated misinformation, such as linking abortion and breast cancer (debunked by the National Cancer Institute), and promoting the idea that abortion inflicts psychological trauma and suicide, which is not recognized by the American Psychological Association."
Now, the Department of State Health Services has proposed several revisions to the booklet, titled A Woman's Right to Know, and is accepting public comments on the updates until Friday.
But according to the Texas Tribune, "The new draft doubles down on information highly contested by medical experts and the pro-abortion rights community, stoking the flames of a debate going back more than a decade."
The Tribune reports:
Among major changes, the new draft uses "your baby" when describing gestation development as early as four weeks, rather than medical terms, such as "fetus." The new version also highlights the suggestion that fetuses can begin feeling pain at 20 weeks--a claim contested by scientists--and displays risks associated with abortion more prominently, with death first on the list.
To that end, reproductive rights advocates on Wednesday delivered thousands of comments in opposition to the booklet and its revisions.
"This is just the latest shameful example of state leaders playing politics with women's health," Texas state representative Donna Howard said at a press conference held by NARAL Pro-Choice Texas.
Decrying the pamphlet as "propaganda," Howard said: "As a former registered nurse, I find it outrageous that the state requires health professionals to provide misleading and coercive information to patients."
The U.S. Supreme Court last month struck down key provisions of Texas' draconian 2013 law that would have forced all but nine abortion clinics in the state to close.
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
Women's health advocates in Texas are outraged over the contents of a misleading and state-mandated booklet that's handed out to women seeking an abortion.
According to the Austin Chronicle, "The error-ridden pamphlet, created by a 2003 abortion informed consent law, has been criticized for years for its myriad of medical inaccuracies and biased, ideologically-motivated misinformation, such as linking abortion and breast cancer (debunked by the National Cancer Institute), and promoting the idea that abortion inflicts psychological trauma and suicide, which is not recognized by the American Psychological Association."
Now, the Department of State Health Services has proposed several revisions to the booklet, titled A Woman's Right to Know, and is accepting public comments on the updates until Friday.
But according to the Texas Tribune, "The new draft doubles down on information highly contested by medical experts and the pro-abortion rights community, stoking the flames of a debate going back more than a decade."
The Tribune reports:
Among major changes, the new draft uses "your baby" when describing gestation development as early as four weeks, rather than medical terms, such as "fetus." The new version also highlights the suggestion that fetuses can begin feeling pain at 20 weeks--a claim contested by scientists--and displays risks associated with abortion more prominently, with death first on the list.
To that end, reproductive rights advocates on Wednesday delivered thousands of comments in opposition to the booklet and its revisions.
"This is just the latest shameful example of state leaders playing politics with women's health," Texas state representative Donna Howard said at a press conference held by NARAL Pro-Choice Texas.
Decrying the pamphlet as "propaganda," Howard said: "As a former registered nurse, I find it outrageous that the state requires health professionals to provide misleading and coercive information to patients."
The U.S. Supreme Court last month struck down key provisions of Texas' draconian 2013 law that would have forced all but nine abortion clinics in the state to close.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.