New law expected to increase cost of abortions in Texas

The new law goes into effect Monday December 19th, and requires aborted fetuses to be buried or cremated.

“This is a very good ruling, and something that we should celebrate”, says Gabriela Avila, with the Catholic Diocese of El Paso.

Avila adds, “in a humane and dignified manner, these aborted babies deserve to be treated in such a way”.

The Diocese isn’t only happy to hear that the aborted fetuses will be treated with dignity, but they also think that the new law will cut down on the number of abortions in the state, “abortions will definitely decrease, because women will be educated, and they will know, that they are caring a human being, that they have a human life with in them”.

Not everyone is happy about the new law though, “it should be between them, there faith, and there doctor”, says Lyda Ness-Garcia, an attorney and pro choice activist with Stand With El Paso Women.

“I think it’s already infringing on an already difficult decision”, adds Ness-Garcia.

ABC-7 spoke with a representative with Martin Funeral Home about the law and they tell us they will likely charge abortion clinics $200 for cremation, and $350 for burials, including the casket.

The Martin Funeral Home rep. also said burials could cost an additional $800 dollars for an an infant plot, making cremation much more economical.

This extra cost will likely be passed on to those seeking the abortion, which typically run between $400 and $1,000.

The increased price in Texas will likely send people to abortion clinics in nearby Santa Teresa and Las Cruces.

According to Ness-Garcia the new law “will constitute an additional un-do burden, particular for people of a lower economic bracket”, and the new law could end up in the middle of a lengthy legal battle, “I think we are going to have litigation, I’ve already heard from reproductive health network that there is going to be various litigation, that will cost us as tax payers”.