Thousands of babies alive as a result of Texas ‘heartbeat’ protections

Thousands of babies are alive as a result of the Texan ban on abortions taking place from around six weeks except in medical emergencies.

The Texas Heartbeat Act, which came into effect on 1 September last year, has led to a conspicuous fall in the number of abortions occurring in the state.

According to a report by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, there were 5,404 unborn babies killed in August, compared to 2,197 the following month.

‘Long-term impact’

The new figure is significantly below the average number of abortions which took place in September across the previous four years for which data was available – 4,268 – and the average monthly figure over the previous twelve months – 4,771.

celebrate the lives being spared as a direct result of this life-saving law

As yet no data is available beyond September, but based on available figures it is estimated the new law has saved between 11,600 and 14,300 lives, equating to as many as 86 babies every day.

Kimberlyn Schwartz of Texas Right to Life said her group would continue to monitor the situation to see “the long-term impact” of the Act, and that in the meantime they would “celebrate the lives being spared as a direct result of this life-saving law”.

Biden

Before the law came into effect it was subject to a legal battle, with abortion giants Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights opposing the pro-life legislation.

They complained that the Heartbeat Act could lead to abortion clinics being closed and accused the State legislature of being hostile “to the rights of pregnant people”, but the Supreme Court voted 5-4 against blocking the legislation.

When the law took effect, it was opposed by President Biden, who called it “extreme” and vowed to “launch a whole-of-government effort to respond to the decision”.

The US Department of Justice subsequently launched a legal action and the law was temporarily blocked by a US District Attorney, before being reinstated by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Biden’s administration then made an appeal to the Supreme Court, but the senior justices have refused to put the legislation on hold while they consider the case.