Chairman Kolkhorst and committee members, my name is Amy O’Donnell. I am the Communications Director for the Texas Alliance for Life. I am here today to testify in favor of SB 1233.
When parents receive a life-limiting diagnosis for their unborn baby, it is often one of the most devastating moments of their lives. In that moment, they deserve compassion, clarity, and immediate access to supportive organizations, resources, and services to help them navigate the unknowns and challenges ahead.
SB 1233 plays a crucial role in ensuring that families receive this vital information about perinatal palliative care programs at the very appointment where a diagnosis is given. These resources are specifically designed to provide medical, emotional, and practical support through pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.
Friends of Texas Alliance for Life and one of our staff members have shared their own experiences on how receiving a life-limiting diagnosis for their child was traumatic, but also how they found hope in the support of perinatal palliative care and other support organizations. However, they had to seek out those resources on their own. They agree it would have been invaluable to receive this information at the time of diagnosis, rather than leaving their doctor’s office with grief and uncertainty and many questions.0
Without knowing what support exists, some parents may feel pressured to seek abortion out of state, believing they have no other option. By providing life-affirming resources at the time of diagnosis, SB 1233 ensures that no family is left feeling abandoned or hopeless. Instead, they can make informed decisions, knowing they are not alone and that there are people and programs ready to support them and their baby every step of the way.
Texas Alliance for Life strongly supports SB 1233, and I urge you to do the same. Your support for this bill is crucial. It will ensure that families facing unimaginable circumstances receive the compassionate care and support they need from the very beginning.