By J. Lyn Carl, GalleryWatch.com
Austin, TX – Saying Texas Department of Health rules and information relative to abortions goes beyond the intent of the state's legislation, several Democratic House members today blamed an extremist, right-wing fundamentalist perspective and an ultra conservative legislature and leadership for trying to push their conservative agenda through the rulemaking endeavor.
"There is a legal right to abortion," said Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston). "That is the law. Whether these rules interfere with a woman's right to go in and seek a safe, legal procedure is the crux of this. It's misinformation that is state-sponsored that tries to persuade a woman that this is a choice she shouldn't make. That goes beyond the law. There is a question if this is intrusive in the decision making by a woman."
Coleman said the TDH and Board of Health rules have "gone too far" and are not part of the intent of the author of HB 15, passed during the 78th Regular Session. He described the rulemaking as a "bait and switch."
Part of the bill requires TDH to publish abortion information materials to be provided to women seeking abortions.
"You have something on the (House) floor and then you go beyond that in rulemaking," said Coleman.
"The conservative agenda took giant steps forward," said Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin), "and they got most of what they wanted (in the 78th Legislature). That wasn't enough. The ultra conservative legislature and leadership are still trying to push further."
Rodriguez said now the leadership is using "pressure and coercion of state agencies and boards to achieve their outcomes." He said women who have had to make the "very difficult" decision to have an abortion now will be dealing with intimidation as well.
The Austin representative said forcing informed consent pamphlets on those who have already educated themselves regarding abortion issues or those who don't want the pamphlets is "blatantly disrespectful."
"These rules are like a runaway train but they don't have to be a train wreck. It's not too late to stop it."
Another Austin legislator, Rep. Dawnna Dukes, described HB 15 as the "Woman's MISinformation Act." She said the legislation is a "campaign to ensure women are confused and intimidated."
She said putting the act and rules into place "do nothing" to assist women seeking abortions. "It infuriates me that the right wing of the leadership continue to pressure people with their political, right wing agenda," she said, instead of following the intent of HB 15.
Dukes alleged that appointments to the Board of Health were designed to "ensure it was heavy-handedly placed with anti-choice members."
"Texas women deserve better," said Dukes, noting they should be able to get "truthful and factual" information from TDH, should not be required to present identification and should not be made to feel guilty for making a "legal medical decision."
She said it is time for TDH and the Board of Health to "Cowboy-up and follow policy and procedure.''
Saying he is personally opposed to abortion, Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) said the state "has no right to interfere with a woman's right to make that decision."
He described the rules as an "extreme right wing fundamentalist perspective imposing their own will on the great moderate middle" in Texas. He said the agency's agenda "is an extremist position that runs fundamentally contrary to the First Amendment."
Rep. Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) said she is concerned that women will be "losing all rights over their bodies once they become pregnant" and that the state will then intervene and "give them false information." She said the information being distributed "tries to undermine a woman's decision" and will add guilt to an already "personal, difficult decision." She said the state will be involved in "deliberately misinforming women."