Abortion Ban Ripples

I'm 48F. I've lived in Texas all my life. I have 3 amazing children that I birthed here in the great state of Texas. I've had wonderful Midwives, Certified Nurse Practitioners, and OB/GYNs care for me over the years.

Planned Parenthood helped me get on Birth control when I was 17.

A very late period caused a pregnancy scare when I was 19. I thought how disappointed my parents would be. I thought ... *I'm so young. Could I have an abortion? Could I do that?* Thankfully, I didn't have to find out.

The University Health Center helped me get back on birth control.

The insurance from my first "real" job covered a midwife that a friend recommended for my well-care before I was ready to have children.

A benign tumor was found just before I became pregnant with my first. It was suggested that it might not be safe to carry that pregnancy. I was fortunate, and it only caused minor issues. I was able to give birth vaginally, and I had the tumor removed a few months later.

My second pregnancy was graciously uneventful.

My third pregnancy was unplanned. I had just gotten a new job. We had just signed papers on a home improvement loan. My husband and I had some emotional talks. We weren't ready for a third.

But ... *Abortion? Could I do that?* No. I couldn't.

Having her upended our lives. I gave up that new job. I never regretted my choice to carry and give birth to her, but I'm grateful I had a choice.

Six years later, I had a sterilization procedure. It was successful, and I haven't had to worry about pregnancy since. I highly recommend sterilization to anyone over 30 who is sure they are done having children or know they don't want any.

Now, I'm divorced, perimenopausal, and living in a rural part of the state for the first time after living my first 43 years in suburban and urban areas.

Due to circumstances, I don't work enough hours to qualify for benefits from work. I make too much to qualify for Medicaid. I don't make nearly enough to afford to buy health insurance. When the Shared Responsibility Tax/ Healthcare Mandate was repealed, I benefitted. Those extra taxes were hurting and paying those taxes were never going to increase my income or enable me to afford health insurance.

Nowadays, I go to a rural clinic. They have a very small network, and they offer a sliding scale discount. I qualify for a 50% discount. It has helped me continue to get care. I've gotten antibiotics when I needed, and I even went to the dentist.

In Spring 2023, I had a comprehensive well-woman appointment and some tests were run. Because of these results, I was referred to the gynecologist. The next appointment wasn't for 3 months, but what choice did I have? I took the appointment.

Three months later, I scheduled time off work to go to the appointment. The day before the scheduled appointment, they called to cancel. They couldn't schedule another appointment. I would need to call back.

When I called back, I was informed that my appointment was cancelled because the one OB/GYN who was coming to the clinics a few times per month to see patients was gone. There wasn't a new one. There probably would not be a new one.

I asked what I was supposed to do, and they said they could refer me out. But that means No Sliding Scale, and I don't have insurance. I couldn't afford to do that.

I called on friends from the city where I lived for over 2 decades. I was put in touch with a knowledgeable medical professional who was willing to look at my test results and give me a consultation for free. Not a real appointment, *a favor.*

She was able to explain the additional testing a gynecologist would want and why. She explained to me what they were looking for and the likelihood of real *you-need-treatment* problems arising. She reassured me that this can be watched, and I was not in immediate need of a GYN appointment. I had another well-woman appointment this year and the test results look good, but I'll need it re-done again next year and probably the next.

*But Why?*

*Why did this happen?*

*Why did the gynecologist leave?*

*Why won't another one come?*

**Because *Abortion* is illegal in Texas.**

I've never had an abortion.

I can't even get pregnant.

Abortion bans don't just stop pregnant people from getting abortions.

They prevent women who are naturally losing their pregnancies from getting care.

They prevent Rural and Poor women from getting follow-up testing and treatment for non-pregnancy related gynecological issues.

They prevent women from receiving *Healthcare.*

*Is this really what the PEOPLE of Texas want? I don't think it is.*