Texas’ highly restrictive new law has spurred the largest documented decrease in abortions in the state, according to University of Texas at Austin researchers. A new study says abortions in the state were down 50% in September 2021 compared to September 2020. That was the intent of the bill's backers and author. The law prohibits abortion once fetal cardiac activity can be detected, which is frequently as early as six weeks into pregnancy and before most women know they’re pregnant.
But well after they know they could be pregnant.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, Nov. 1 is set to hear two challenges to the restrictive abortion law: One from the Department of Justice and another brought by abortion providers.