Texas Abortion Law: Companies That Donated And Betrayed Women

The Texas abortion law, also known as SB 8, prohibits abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, a time when many women do not know they are pregnant. The law also allows anyone to sue anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion in Texas for $10,000. Several companies have been identified as donors to the lawmakers who sponsored this bill, despite some of these same companies touting themselves as champions of women's rights and empowerment.

AT&T donated $301,000

AT&T, the world's largest communications company, has donated $301,000 to the sponsors of Texas' abortion ban, also known as Senate Bill 8 or SB 8. This donation has made AT&T one of the top donors to the sponsors of the bill. The company's funding has contributed to the passage of the abortion ban in Texas, which prohibits all abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, which can occur as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. This ban has been met with protests and criticism from pro-choice activists and women's rights organizations.

AT&T's significant financial contribution to the sponsors of the abortion ban is particularly notable because of the company's public stance on women's empowerment and equality. Just days before the bill came into effect, AT&T issued a statement celebrating Women's Equality Day. This contradiction between the company's stated values and its political donations has drawn criticism and backlash.

The Dallas-based company has become a powerful player in conservative politics, and its funding has had a significant impact on the passage of the abortion ban in Texas. AT&T has been called out by women's rights advocates and Democratic super PACs, who have launched campaigns and advertisements criticizing the company for its role in supporting anti-abortion politicians. These campaigns urge AT&T to stop funding anti-abortion extremists and to align its political donations with its stated values of gender equity and women's empowerment.

In response to the criticism, AT&T has denied taking a position on the issue of abortion. An AT&T spokesperson stated that the company did not endorse nor support the passage of Senate Bill 8 and that their political action committees contribute to both opponents and supporters of abortion legislation. However, women's rights advocates argue that corporations like AT&T cannot remain neutral on such critical issues and that their financial support has tangible consequences for women's reproductive rights and freedom.

AT&T's substantial donation of $301,000 to the sponsors of the Texas abortion ban highlights the complex dynamics between corporate interests, political influence, and social values. While the company maintains its neutrality, the impact of its financial contributions speaks volumes, and the ensuing backlash underscores the growing scrutiny of corporate political donations and their alignment with stated values.

Comcast/NBCUniversal donated $58,250

Comcast/NBCUniversal has donated $58,250 to the sponsors of Texas' abortion ban, Senate Bill 8 (SB8), since 2018. This makes the company one of the largest corporate donors to the sponsors of the bill.

In 2019, NBCUniversal suggested that it would not produce content in states enacting abortion bans. "If any of these laws are upheld, it would strongly impact our decision-making on where we produce our content in the future," the company said. However, when Popular Information contacted Comcast/NBCUniversal to ask if the company supported SB8 and if it would continue to support the bill's sponsors in the future, they did not respond.

Comcast/NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast, which owns CNBC's parent company, NBCUniversal.

Comcast/NBCUniversal is not the only corporation that has publicly championed women's rights while also backing the sponsors of SB8. CVS Health, for example, has donated $72,500 to the sponsors of SB8 since 2018, while also stating on social media that its mission is to "support the unique health needs of women at every age."

CVS Health donated $72,500

CVS Health, a company that claims to support women's health, donated $72,500 to the sponsors of Texas' abortion ban. This donation was made to legislators who sponsored Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), a restrictive abortion law that prohibits all abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. This bill came into effect on September 1, 2021, after the Supreme Court denied an emergency appeal from abortion rights advocates.

CVS Health's donation is particularly notable because it contradicts the company's public image and statements. CVS Health has made claims about supporting women's health and empowerment, while simultaneously funding politicians who are actively working to restrict abortion access and reproductive healthcare. In response to this discrepancy, a CVS Health spokesperson stated:

> Past political contributions are by no means a blanket endorsement of an individual's position on every issue, nor are they an indication of where we'll direct our future support.

The Womxn Project, an organization that supports abortion rights, launched a campaign calling for CVS Health to stop funding anti-abortion lawmakers. They urged supporters to boycott CVS and pressure the company to make a public commitment to halt donations to politicians who are actively working against women's health and justice.

CVS Health's donation of $72,500 is a significant contribution to the sponsors of Texas' abortion ban and highlights the company's conflicting stance on issues related to women's health and reproductive rights.

UnitedHealth Group donated $90,000

UnitedHealth Group's donation to the Texas abortion ban sponsors has sparked controversy, as it contradicts the company's stated values of empowering women. This donation is part of a larger pattern of companies financially supporting politicians and causes that restrict women's rights, despite claiming to champion women's empowerment and equality.

The Texas abortion ban, also known as Senate Bill 8 or SB 8, prohibits all abortions after roughly six weeks of pregnancy, a time when many women are unaware they are pregnant. The law also allows anyone to sue anyone who assists a woman in obtaining an abortion in Texas and offers a $10,000 reward for successful lawsuits. This restriction on abortion access has significant implications for women's health and rights.

UnitedHealth Group's donation to the sponsors of this bill raises questions about the company's commitment to its stated values and responsibility to the communities it serves. While the company has various programs and initiatives to support health and community development, this donation suggests a conflicting stance on issues related to women's health and autonomy.

The revelation of UnitedHealth Group's donation highlights the disconnect between corporate social responsibility and political financial contributions. It underscores the need for greater accountability and transparency from companies regarding their political donations to ensure alignment with their stated values and societal expectations.

Anthem donated $87,250

Senate Bill 8, also known as the "heart rate bill," prohibits abortions in Texas if a fetal heartbeat is detected. This can occur as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, before most women are aware that they are pregnant. The bill also does not make exceptions for rape or incest.

Several companies have been identified as donors to the lawmakers who co-sponsored the bill. One of these companies is Anthem, a health insurance company, which donated $87,250 to the sponsors of the bill.

Anthem's website states that the company strives to "empower women within our own organization and in the communities we serve." However, their financial support for the Texas abortion bill contradicts this statement.

Anthem's donation has contributed to the implementation of a restrictive abortion law that limits women's access to healthcare and their right to choose. This is particularly concerning given that Anthem is a health insurance company, which should ideally support and facilitate access to a full range of healthcare services for its customers.

The company's support for the bill may also be at odds with the values and beliefs of its employees and customers, many of whom may disagree with the restrictive abortion law.

Anthem's donation to the Texas abortion bill highlights the disconnect between the company's stated values and its actions. It raises questions about the company's commitment to women's empowerment and equality, especially in the context of reproductive rights and access to healthcare.

As a result of Anthem's support for the bill, there may be calls for the company to clarify its stance on reproductive rights and explain how it intends to uphold its commitment to empowering women.

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