City Council approves $500,000 fund for contraception and reproductive education

SAN ANTONIO — The City Council on Thursday approved nearly $500,000 for contraception and fertility education.

The city approved a reproductive justice fund. District 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda says nonprofits will have to apply for the money.

“Mostly on things like healthy pregnancy, exercise, contraception, education and outreach. There is also some money for Dulas if the mother is currently pregnant, as well as STI testing,” Havrda said.

She says this is the first time they’ve done this and hopes the fundraiser will become an annual event. “There is a severe shortage of health care for low-income people who cannot afford insurance or do not have access to this care.”

During the council meeting where the funding was approved, she said a plan was in the works that would also provide funding for those who would like to leave the state for an abortion.

“A lot of women find themselves in situations where they may have miscarried and they can’t expel the fetus, so in San Antonio and Texas it’s really hard for them to be healthy and get through that situation. safe,” says Havrda.

Chris Coons, chairman of the Bexar County Republican Party, says the plan is disappointing.

“It goes against the core of what our party stands for, which is the idea of ​​transporting women to the states for types of health care like abortion, it goes against everything we believe in.”

And she believes the nearly $500,000 approved today will go toward some services already available.

Havrda says: “Either by personal doctors, or hospitals, or several organizations that do this, but at present there is no need for this.”

Nearly $500,000 comes out of the city’s pocket, and Coons says the city doesn’t have the money to spend it like that.