Abortion Facilities

The Facility Licensing Group develops rules that establish minimum standards for abortion facility licensing procedures, for licensing fees; for granting, denying, suspending, and revoking a license; for requirements for reporting abortions performed; for complaints; and for reporting incidents. The Health & Safety Code, Chapter 245. Abortion Facilities (statute) requires a "universal reporting" of abortion procedures by ALL providers of abortion services.

The statute contains strict confidentiality provisions relating to the release by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) of any information pertaining to an abortion facility.  The statute does allow for the release of statistical information reported to the DSHS by January 31 of each year.  This information is compiled with assistance of the DSHS Bureau for Vital Statistics. The latest abortion information may be found within the DSHS Center for Health Statistics Vital Statistics Annual Reports.

Notice to Medicaid Women’s Health Program Providers

Section 32.0248, Human Resources Code, prohibits the payment of Medicaid Women's Health Program funds to a provider that performs elective abortions. This provision also applies to licensed abortion facilities. A provider that has performed elective abortions (through either surgical or medical methods) for any patient is ineligible to serve Medicaid Women's Health Program clients and cannot be reimbursed for those services. This prohibition has been in effect since September 1, 2005. This prohibition does not prohibit providers from delivering services to other Medicaid clients. The Health and Human Services Commission may recoup Medicaid Women's Health Program funds that it determines were paid to providers that have performed elective abortions.

For more information please call Kendra Sippel-Theodore, Medicaid/CHIP Division, Health and Human Services Commission, at (512) 491-5594.

Licensing Information

The staff of the Facility Licensing Group is responsible for licensing abortion facilities. To become licensed please see the How to Become a Licensed Abortion Facility and License Application.

Survey Components

A survey for abortion services rendered will be conducted within 60 days after the issuance of an initial license. Entrance conference with key facility personnel and department zone office staff. During the survey, zone office staff will explain the survey process and answer questions.

• Review clinical records
• Review facility policies and procedures
• Review quality assurance activities
• Review personnel records
• Interview staff
• Conduct site visits as applicable
• Exit conference with key facility personnel. Discuss survey findings.

Audit Tool

The audit tool is provided for use by your facility in preparation for a state licensure survey. We suggest you conduct an audit of your facility’s compliance to license standards prior to the scheduled or unannounced survey.

• Abortion Facility State Audit Tool. Word File 550KB,45 pgs

Frequently Asked Questions

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Texas Department of State Health Services, Health Facillity Licensing Program
1100 West 49th Street - Austin, Texas 78756 - (512) 834-6646

Last Updated May 30, 2006