As the year ends, it’s a moment to reflect on the essential healthcare services that sustain our communities. Independent women’s clinics, like Austin Women’s Health, play a vital role in the reproductive health of our community, especially in states like Texas with restrictive abortion laws. We provide critical healthcare and an accessible, community-centered resource for those needing comprehensive reproductive health services.
But we are still struggling to continue to operate in Texas…
We are facing unprecedented challenges. With our business gutted after the fall of Roe and limited state support, we are still at risk of closing our doors— this would profoundly affect over 200 women and their families, and we are fighting to make sure this never happens. This is why we’re reaching out to share the importance of clinics like AWHC, which has served central Texans and families all over the South for over 40 years.
Independent Women’s Clinics Are Critical Community Resources
In states with abortion restrictions, independent women’s clinics have become indispensable providers of broader reproductive healthcare. This includes services like contraceptives, pro-choice counseling, STD screenings, and preventative care. Here are a few reasons why it’s so important to support independent clinics like Austin Women’s Health Center
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A Lifeline for Alternative Healthcare Access
Independent clinics fill a major gap in reproductive healthcare, especially in restrictive states where options are few. Studies like those conducted by Riley et al. (2024) in *JAMA Network Open* highlight how these clinics have adapted their services to support the health and well-being of women in their communities, even in the absence of abortion services. For many, they are the sole source of essential services like contraception, screenings, and pro-choice healthcare counseling. (Riley et al,. 2024)
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Providing Preventative Care and Supportive Services
With abortion services restricted, independent clinics are increasingly focused on preventive care and reproductive health education. These services are vital as they equip women with knowledge about their health and provide early detection screenings that can be lifesaving. For women with limited access to comprehensive healthcare, these clinics offer a safe space to ask questions, seek guidance, and access affordable preventative care.
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Reducing Delays in Access to Essential Healthcare
Post-Dobbs, delays in accessing reproductive health services have surged, especially in areas with fewer clinics. Independent clinics help reduce these delays by providing readily available care in the regions that would otherwise be underserved. By offering prompt access to contraceptives, maternity care, and other essential health services, clinics like Austin Women’s Health ensure that women don’t have to wait weeks or travel long distances for care. Most of our services are available as soon as the next day, and if you can’t get in to see your OB in your first trimester, you’re in luck because our new prenatal care services are the next day as well!
Why Independent Clinics Are in Danger
Despite their crucial role, independent clinics need help to stay afloat. With limited state funding and the rising costs of operating in restrictive environments, many clinics, like ours, are on the brink of closure. Last year, we created a Donate page on our site that allows you to become a sustaining donor to Austin Women’s Health. Any amount you give monthly goes to work for people right here in our community and helps us stay resilient in the face of ongoing challenges.
This lack of funding affects more than just the clinic and our staff—it affects every woman and family in the community who relies on us for health services. When clinics close, the community as a whole loses a source of affordable, accessible healthcare.
How You Can Support Independent Clinics
We’re calling on the community to get involved to help keep our clinic and those like ours open and available to those who need them most. You can directly support our operation by making a tax-deductible donation on our website. Your contributions will help cover costs, expand services, and ensure that reproductive healthcare remains accessible to all who need it. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Donate Today:
A tax-deductible donation can go a long way in helping these clinics stay open and accessible. You can make that donation on our website or through Amplify Austin’s – I Live Here, I Give Here: https://www.amplifyatx.org/organizations/austin-womens-health
Share Their Story:
Share the importance of independent women’s clinics with friends, family and on social media. Awareness is the first step in driving change.
Volunteer or Advocate:
We are so grateful to all the amazing volunteers and advocates we’ve had at the clinic throughout the years. Thank you for your support and loyalty to our community! We always welcome volunteers or advocates to help raise awareness and support.
A Final Word: Standing Up for Community Health
Independent women’s clinics have had their resilience tested in the face of policy shifts and funding challenges, and you can help make us stronger. The community’s support—your support—makes a lasting difference. By joining us in this effort, you’re helping ensure every woman has access to the care she needs, regardless of her circumstances.
Please consider making a year-end donation to our website to keep our independent clinic from closing. Together, we can continue to stand up for equitable healthcare and support those who need it most.
Thank you for supporting independent women’s clinics and for making a difference in the lives of countless women and families. Your contribution truly matters.