Whole Woman’s Health to Relocate Texas Abortion Operations to New Mexico
Following the fall of Roe V. Wade and the enforcement of a pre-Roe Texas law that bans nearly all abortions in the state, Whole Woman’s Health, one of the state’s largest abortion providers, is packing up its four clinics and relocating to New Mexico. The health care organization most recently operated clinics in Austin, McAllen, Fort Worth and McKinney.
What You Need To Know
- Following the fall of Roe v. Wade, abortion care provider Whole Woman’s Health will pack up its four Texas locations and move to New Mexico.
- The move also follows the passage of Senate Bill 8 in Texas and the enforcement of a pre-Roe Texas law that bans nearly all abortions.
- Whole Woman’s Health currently operates clinics in Austin, McAllen, Fort Worth and McKinney.
- The organization is raising funds for its move via a GoFundMe campaign.
Details of the Relocation
According to a news release from Whole Woman’s Health, it is “seeking a clinic site in a border city of New Mexico to provide first and second trimester abortions.” The provider is seeking a clinic site in a New Mexico border city to provide first and second trimester abortions. They've also launched a fundraiser for the move.
“With the shuttering of our 4 Texas clinics, we do not have the financial reserves to open in New Mexico without community support. We are asking for your help as we vacate our Texas clinics, move our needed equipment and supplies, buy and renovate a new clinic building, relocate and hire staff, and set up Whole Woman’s Health of New Mexico,” said Whole Women’s Health president and CEO Amy Hagstrom.
Current Status of Texas Clinics
| Texas Clinic Locations | Status |
|---|---|
| Austin | Closing and Relocating |
| McAllen | Closing and Relocating |
| Fort Worth | Closing and Relocating |
| McKinney | Closing and Relocating |
History and Legal Context
Whole Woman’s Health started in Austin in 2003 and later expanded to McAllen, Fort Worth, Beaumont, San Marcos, San Antonio and McKinney. Six years ago, according to the news release, the group won a Supreme Court decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, which eliminated enforcement of Texas’ Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers laws.
The groups previously operated a clinic in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in response to Texas TRAP laws. That existed from 2014 to 2017. Now, the organization is seeking financial aid via a GoFundMe campaign to re-establish operations outside of Texas.