Anti-Lifers frequently allege that the Pro-Life movement is merely pro-birth and lacks genuine concern for the well-being of mothers and children once the baby is born. This argument is employed by those who advocate for the termination of an unborn child through abortion. Nevertheless, the reality is that those who are pro-life are genuinely concerned for the well-being of both the mother and her child, both before and after the birth of the child. The state-funded Alternatives to Abortion (A2A) program in Texas provides a clear illustration of this.
The A2A program was established in 2005 with the objective of providing critical social services to expectant mothers during their pregnancies and for up to three years following childbirth, two years post-adoption finalization, and 90 days following the tragic natural loss of a child through miscarriage. The program is comprised of nonprofit organizations that provide a range of services, including pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies. These organizations are reimbursed for the resources they provide, including counseling, child care, maternal supplies, job skills training, adoption, housing placement assistance, and parenting classes. Since its inception, the program has experienced exponential growth, expanding its reach to serve an ever-increasing number of Texans across the state.
In the past year, the A2A program has provided services through 179 brick-and-mortar locations and a dozen other mobile and virtual locations. Through these partnerships, the A2A contracting providers were able to serve 113,125 unique clients, who received 2,230,713 distinct services.
With the historic overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, Texas was finally able to enact legislation that protects all preborn babies from abortion for the first time since 1973. This represents a significant achievement for Texas mothers, babies, and families. However, there is now a greater need than ever to expand these vital A2A services to address the needs of families and pregnant women. It is our intention that they be furnished with the requisite resources and the community they require in order to choose life for their child. Rather than being forced to seek abortion across state lines or to purchase illegal abortion pills over the internet, we seek to provide them with the support they need to make an informed decision.
The Texas Legislature has already expanded the budget item for this life-saving program from $100 million (from the previous biennial budget) to $120 million for the next two years. Although this represents an increase from the previous biennium, it is insufficient to meet the increased need that our state will experience as a result of more women giving birth in Texas as a consequence of the reactivation of pro-life legislation. Texas Right to Life will endeavor to augment the program’s funding to $200 million for the next two years by the conclusion of the legislative session.
It is regrettable that anti-life Democrats have already begun to devise strategies to dismantle this program. Representative Donna Howard (D-Austin) is the most vehement opponent of this life-saving program. Furthermore, Representative Donna Howard (D-Austin) and other Democrats have already proposed legislation with the intention of undermining the crucial pro-life services provided through A2A.
The legislative battle to safeguard this life-saving program has already commenced in the inaugural weeks of the 88th Legislature. Texas Right to Life has identified the protection and expansion of the Alternatives to Abortion program as a priority for this legislative session.
Please stay informed about the budgetary developments surrounding this life-saving program and other legislative matters by texting PROLIFE to 40237.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
