The Satanic Temple Expands Telehealth Abortion Clinics to Virginia
- Milton Quintanilla Crosswalk Headlines Contributor
- Updated Oct 21, 2024
The Satanic Temple (TST) has announced that it has opened a second telehealth abortion clinic in Virginia, over a year after it opened its first facility in New Mexico. According to a press release, TST said that the Virginia-based abortion facility, titled "Right to Your Life Satanic Abortion Clinic," will be "free of charge" like the first one, "with patients only needing to cover the cost of medication through a third party at a very low price."
"Our dedicated staff will again be available 24/7, ensuring that patients receive the care they need when they need it," TST added.
The organization, which is not associated with the Church of Satan, founded in the 1960s by Anton LaVey, explained they have been attempting to fight back against abortion restrictions made following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
"While many clinics have been forced to shut down, we took a bold step forward by opening the world's first religious abortion clinic on February 14th, 2023," TST explained. "Since then, we have proudly offered over 100 abortions in New Mexico at no cost to patients aside from the medication. With an average cost of $91 per procedure, we provide the lowest-cost option for pregnancy terminations in the entire state."
They added that they also helped cover the travel and medication costs for people struggling financially, stating that "we're honored to have made a positive impact on so many lives during what can be a difficult time."
"As abortion rights continue to be a central issue in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, we remain steadfast in our mission to expand access and protect bodily autonomy," the group concluded. "We know the urgency of this work, and we will not stop until we have made a lasting difference."
According to a TST document shared with The Christian Post, the group explained that abortion is part of its "destruction ritual that serves as a protective rite," noting that preparations for the procedure include reading and listening to stories from people in favor of abortion as a way to "subdue any stigmas" a woman might feel entering the clinic.
TST, headquartered in Salem, Massachusetts, describes the Satanic abortion ritual as a "spiritual experience designed to instill confidence and self-worth in accordance to TST's religious beliefs."
In 2021, the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic Party's nominee for president, removed the restrictions that stopped the distribution of abortion-inducing medications by mail.
Many have expressed concerns about the safety of allowing pregnant women to take these kinds of drugs without the strict purview of a medical professional, asserting the use of said drugs can have dangerous and even deadly outcomes, CBN News reported.
"Our staff virtually meet with each patient over a series of online visits to ensure the safety of each patient, including follow-up meetings. Our staff thoroughly discusses the potential risks with each patient, and for this reason, we urge each patient to know where their closest medical facility may be located in the unlikely event that complications may arise," TST Executive Director Erin Helian told The Christian Post.
"We do not agree with the notion that telehealth care puts patients at risk," she argued. "Instead, we argue that, by expanding care and access, telehealth clinics, like ours, can save lives."
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