Abortion laws in Texas now require clinics to either bury or cremate fetal remains. While critics claim that this is a bare attempt of shaming and financially pressuring women who seek the abortion, the governor believes it is "giving voice to the unborn." The decision comes after the US Supreme Court's rule in favor of abortion.
The high court earlier rejected a Texas law that intended to restrict abortion. But, health officials were quick to suggest alternate methods to restrict abortion. Now, the rule for the burial of fetal remains comes with an argument that it will help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The Texas Department of State Health Services is willing to impose the new rule from the latter part of December.
The debate is now about the reason behind the new addition to the abortion laws in Texas. Some believe this is another way of trying to stop abortion, while some other believe this is related to public health. Critics of the new rule claim that each procedure of burial will cost $2,000 on an average. According to the Texas Medical Association and Texas Hospitals Association, cremation might cost up to $4,000.
According to Planned Parenthood, it takes between $300 and $950 to perform each abortion. The cost depends on the kind of procedure needed for an individual case. However, the state claims that the cost is nowhere close to what the critics are claiming it to be. It says the annual cost is going to be $450 for each facility.
Supporters of the new rule say it is all about providing dignity to the fetus. Several pro-life organizations demand that fetuses should be treated with dignity, instead of being discarded in a landfill. The new addition to the abortion laws in Texas has already found enough critics and supporters.
"While the Supreme Court tragically does not allow states to ban most abortions, we believe that Texas law should be changed to assure that the bodies of the victims of abortion are not treated like medical waste," Fox6now quoted Joe Pojman, the executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, as saying earlier in July.
