Understanding Texas’ Abortion Ban: What It Means for Healthcare Access

When the U.S. Supreme Court refused to block Texas Senate Bill 8—a law banning abortion at just six weeks gestation—it sent a chilling message across the country. At Oyrafem, we were deeply saddened and outraged by the court’s decision, and our hearts go out to Texas abortion providers and the millions of people who can get pregnant and now face near-total barriers to legal abortion care.

Within days of the news breaking, we began receiving messages and calls from people in Texas seeking answers and support, despite not having a health center or telehealth service within the state. In fact, our call volume increased by over 20%, reflecting widespread confusion and fear. People were desperate to understand where they could access care, how fast they needed to act, and whether they could afford it.

So what does this ban really mean for those affected?

The Reality of a Six-Week Ban

A six-week gestational limit gives people an average of two weeks after a missed period to recognize a pregnancy, find a provider, make an appointment, gather resources, and undergo required procedures—all before being legally barred from care.

That means in just 14 days, a person must:

• Confirm they are pregnant with a test
• Locate an abortion provider with availability
• Involve any support person they choose (or none)
• Raise an average of $500 or more
• Take time off work, find childcare, and arrange transportation
• Comply with Texas’s mandatory ultrasound and documentation requirements

And even then, care can be denied. Texas law requires an ultrasound to confirm the absence of embryonic cardiac activity. If any activity is detected—even before a heart has formed—the provider must legally refuse care.

This is not a compassionate policy—it’s a calculated effort to block access entirely. We believe that no politician should have more control over your body than you do.

Who This Law Hurts the Most

Abortion bans like SB8 do not eliminate the need for abortion—they only eliminate safe and local options. These laws disproportionately harm:

• Low-income individuals who can’t afford to travel
• BIPOC communities, already facing systemic healthcare disparities
• LGBTQIA+ individuals whose needs are often ignored in reproductive health
• People with disabilities, for whom travel may be physically or logistically impossible
• Those in rural areas with few healthcare providers to begin with

These bans don’t protect anyone. They cause panic, confusion, and harm—especially to those already struggling to access basic care.

Oyrafem’s Response: Expanding Access Near Texas

Although Oyrafem cannot legally offer services inside Texas, we are working to increase access to telehealth abortion care in neighboring states where people can legally access abortion pills through online consultations.

Our medically supported at-home abortion pill care allows people to:

• Meet with a provider via secure video visit
• Receive FDA-approved abortion pills discreetly by mail
• Access 24/7 medical support during the entire process
• Get pain and nausea medication, birth control options, and follow-up care
• Pay based on a sliding scale, often as low as $225 or less

We know that privacy, speed, and convenience are more important now than ever. Oyrafem helps remove unnecessary travel and gives people the power to manage their own care—in a supportive, trusted environment.

Abortion Is Still Legal—But It’s Not Equally Accessible

The Texas law has emboldened lawmakers in other states to propose similar bans. But no matter what happens in the courts or state legislatures, people will continue to need abortion care. That’s why Oyrafem is building a future where access doesn’t depend on your zip code.

Learn more about how to access at-home abortion pills through Oyrafem from states that allow telehealth care. Visit oyrafem.com or call us for confidential guidance.