The Texas heartbeat bill that would outlaw abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected is gaining traction in the Texas legislature. Within a week of being filed on Feb. 7, House Bill 1500 had 39 co-sponsors. By Tuesday, it had 52.
Versions of the heartbeat bill have been filed every session since 2013, and while the bill hasn't been assigned to committee, Cain said this year is more promising.
Abigail Aiken, public affairs assistant professor and an expert in reproductive health, said a fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.
On Tuesday, the Young Conservatives of Texas held a rally favoring the bill in the West Mall.
Government junior Bonin said national support for heartbeat bills is changing the conversation around abortion.
Along with the low number of abortion clinics in Texas, there are several limitations keeping Texas women from obtaining safe abortions, Aiken said.
Planned Parenthood spokesperson Sarah Wheat said the heartbeat bill could have a disparate impact on certain women.
"With every other restriction that Texas has put in place … we've seen that typically those have a disproportionate impact on younger women, women of color and uninsured women," Wheat said.
Wheat said politicians have a history of limiting medical access for women, and Planned Parenthood is encouraging Texans to contact their elected officials to oppose the bill.
"Every single time the Texas legislature meets, we have a handful of politicians, like Rep. Cain, who may not have any medical background and may not have any expertise in women's health, but who feel that they have a special commitment to making medical decisions for the women in Texas," Wheat said.