Nightingale Advocacy

Written by: Ayush Dane, Liberty HS

In terms of reproductive care and women’s health, Texas finds itself at the bottom compared to other regions. According to a recent Commonwealth Fund research, Texas ranks 49th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Impacts of Limited Women’s Health Screenings in Texas

The Commonwealth research revealed a concerning trend: a significant proportion of Texas women, particularly those from diverse socioeconomic status, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, are not receiving crucial health tests such as breast cancer screening and pap smears, leading to potential adverse consequences for their overall well-being. Without regular screenings, early detection and timely intervention become compromised, putting women at higher risk of undetected health issues. For example, undiagnosed breast cancer may progress to more advanced stages, reducing treatment options and potentially impacting survival rates. Similarly, missed pap smears can delay the detection of cervical abnormalities, increasing the chances of developing cervical cancer. The lack of access to routine health screenings not only affects individual women’s health outcomes but also contributes to broader health disparities within the Texas population. 

Texas has a high mortality rate from breast and ovarian cancer compared to other states. The Commonwealth study provides data on the incidence and mortality of these diseases in Texas. The results of the study indicate that Texas and other states face significant challenges in providing adequate reproductive care and women’s health services, leading to disparities in access to important health tests like breast cancer screening and pap smears. Emphasizing the importance of regular reproductive care, including screenings and early diagnosis, is crucial in improving health outcomes and ensuring timely treatment for various diseases, as it allows for better results when addressed in their early stages.

Challenges in Texas Maternity Care

Providing comprehensive health care services in Texas, especially for women of childbearing age, is significantly challenged by the lack of OB/GYNs in approximately half of Texas counties. The shortage of primary care providers creates obstacles for routine monitoring and necessary reproductive health services, making it harder to address reproductive health issues effectively. Texas’ inadequate maternity care and women’s health are largely the result of the state’s refusal to expand Medicaid coverage to those who work and fall below the poverty line. Some of the policies include, the Senate Bill 8, also known as the Texas Heartbeat Act, was signed into law on May 19, 2021. It bans abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy, and empowers private citizens to bring civil lawsuits against those involved in violating the law. And, House Bill 2 was passed in Texas on July 18, 2013. The bill imposed a ban on abortion at 20 weeks post-fertilization and recognized the state’s compelling interest to protect fetuses from pain, commonly known as a “fetal pain” bill. Medicaid coverage plays a critical role in offering health insurance to low-income individuals, but Texas is one of only 10 states that does not provide this essential coverage. The legislature’s choice not to reauthorize Medicaid coverage creates barriers to health care and perpetuates a program of delayed or inadequate treatment for countless individuals.

The recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade generated heated emotions from Texas healthcare providers. “Physicians should be the ones making that call,” Nurse Jessica Phillips said. Nurse Neshia McDonald, expressed concern about the future of women’s health, emphasizing that she “never would’ve expected this in 2022.” Medical experts are concerned about the impact of the abortion ban on patient care, since doctors may be forced to navigate difficult legal issues during vital periods. “To hear physicians who’ve been doing this forever even consider having to let someone get sick blows my mind,” Phillips said. The physicians’ willingness to entertain the idea of allowing someone to become sick is deeply surprising to Phillips.

Advocating for Equal Access

Our commitment to action can truly make a difference. By promoting comprehensive sex education and fostering understanding through student-led groups, we can make a real difference in addressing concerns and advocating for knowledge and support. It is very important that we reach out to government officials such as the Texas HHSC Family Planning, to voice our concerns about the country’s inadequate record in women’s health and reproductive care. 

What can we do to help improve the state of reproductive care and primary medicine in Texas?

• Raise Awareness: Spread information regarding inequities in healthcare access and quality through social media, community activities, and conversations.

• Advocacy Support: Participate in grassroots campaigns, attend town hall meetings, and contact elected officials to push for increased healthcare access and quality.

• Donate your time to organizations and clinics that provide reproductive healthcare and maternity care.

• Participate in Policy Discussions: Keep up to date on healthcare policy, share personal stories, and participate in public forums to promote good change.

• Support Comprehensive Sex Education: Advocate for evidence-based comprehensive sex education in schools to provide young people with appropriate reproductive health information.

In conclusion, through dedicated efforts to build stronger healthcare systems, we can move toward better health outcomes and ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, has equal access to reproductive care.