Resources for safe abortion access and reproductive rights

Update: April 12, 2023: New abortion pill ruling threatens access to medication abortion

Access to the medication abortion pill mifepristone is under threat. On April 7, a federal judge in Texas issued a preliminary injunction to invalidate the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, which has been in place since 2000. The Texas ruling also suspends the FDA’s subsequent decisions expanding the use of mifepristone in terminating early pregnancies. Though a federal judge in Washington State issued a contradictory ruling soon after, the case will likely go before the US Supreme Court.

For now, mifepristone is still available. And even if the drug becomes unavailable in the US, it may be accessible overseas, The New York Times reports.

Safe abortion access is a healthcare right, ACOG states

While the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) emphasize that access to safe abortion care is a fundamental healthcare right, that access was changed after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion on June 24, 2022.

Now that Roe is overturned, the decision on abortion legality has returned to the individual states. Several states have already enacted what are known as “trigger bans” that trigger an automatic total abortion ban, or severely restrict abortion access based on timing of pregnancy, as soon as the decision took effect. Other states have been working to protect their citizens’ right to safe abortion care or expand access. The Guttmacher Institute estimates that abortion has been or will eventually be banned in 24 states without Roe.

Ultimately, the ability to get a safe abortion will be based on whether someone can afford to travel to a state where it is legal. Outlawing abortions has dangerous consequences: some women may be forced to resort to unsafe options or untrained providers.

All women will be impacted now that Roe is overturned, but it will disproportionately affect people living in poverty or those who already face healthcare inequities like people of color or LGBTQ+ folks.

Related: U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. What happens now?

Education is empowering, so we’ve compiled a list of resources for safe abortion access and reproductive rights so you can stay informed.

Telehealth provides accessible, safe abortion care

Thanks to Covid, most of us are familiar with virtual online visits with healthcare providers, as telehealth has become an everyday part of our lives. In 2021, online care expanded to encompass safe abortion access when the FDA changed its in-person requirement for receiving the medication mifepristone, a drug used to terminate pregnancy in the first trimester, something ACOG has long advocated for because medication abortion is a safe, private and effective way to end a pregnancy.

In 2022, FDA began allowing abortion pills to be delivered by mail and sold at retail pharmacies with a prescription, further expanding access.

Related: Abortion pills can now be sold at retail pharmacies, according to FDA

Today, you can have a virtual consultation and follow-up care with a healthcare provider to get abortion medication (usually mifepristone and/or misoprostol) shipped to you, depending on your location. But with the possible changes following the Roe v. Wade decision, states are ramping up restrictions for virtual care—and there are already 19 states (and counting) with telehealth restrictions.

4 options for telehealth-based abortion care

• Hey Jane: If you live (or can travel) to California, Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, New York, or Washington, Hey Jane states they provide online care with a clinician within 24 hours and ship medication daily. They also share many resources, including financial and legal aid, talk and text support, clinic finders and more.
• Abortion on Demand: According to their website, “Abortion on Demand is designed to get abortion pills to people who need them as quickly and safely as possible.” Visits are scheduled within a few days, and kits are shipped overnight. Requirements include being in a licensed state (you can look for yours here) and that it’s been less than 8 weeks since your last period.
• Choix: California, Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Maine and Virginia are the only states this telehealth company currently serves, but if you live here or can access care from these states, Choix could be a good option. They also provide birth control, urinary tract infection care and other reproductive and sexual health medications.
• Planned Parenthood: Only specific Planned Parenthood clinics provide telehealth, but they remain an option if you live in participating states.

Related: How to care for yourself after an abortion

Keep Plan B on hand

You may also want to keep plan B on hand. Known as the morning after pill, plan B is an emergency contraceptive available over-the-counter that can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex and can reduce your chance of pregnancy by up to 90%.

Of note: The FDA also recently moved to clarify on the label of Plan B pills that it does not cause abortion, thereby distinguishing the emergency contraceptive from medication abortion pills. 

You can order plan B from Stix or Julie to be delivered discreetly.

More reproductive health and safe abortion education and resources

• ReproductiveRights.gov: The Department of Health and Human Services has released a list outlining your reproductive rights that are still upheld even though Roe has been overturned. Use it as a reference before seeking care to know what you’re entitled to. The resource also shares where to file a complaint if you feel your healthcare access has been restricted.
• Safe-2-choose: Safe-2-choose is a telehealth platform, but instead of direct abortion care, they provide counseling to guide women and people with a uterus through the process. They answer any questions about abortion care and facilitate referrals to clinics when needed.
• Plan C: Plan C is an incredible resource created by “a small but mighty team of veteran public health advocates, researchers, social justice activists and digital strategists.” Here you can find information on where to get pills, even in states that restrict access to telehealth abortion care (while providing information on potential associated legal risks).
• Mayday Health: A reproductive health education nonprofit, Mayday Health outlines in detail the three steps to follow if you’re looking to receive abortion pills by mail, which can be especially helpful if you reside in a state without abortion clinics
• Ineedana.com: Ineedana.com provides information for people seeking abortion care, depending on location. All users have to provide is age, zip code, and weeks of pregnancy (if known). They offer information applicable to their individual situation. This may mean clinic locations, financial support options, or advice if you are in a state with restrictions.
• National Abortion Federation: NAF offers a toll-free hotline for safe abortion referrals and financial assistance for U.S. and Canada. All information is confidential.
• National Network of Abortion Funds: The National Network of Abortion Funds seeks to remove the financial barrier to abortion care. They have an extensive list of funds available by state and step-by-step instructions to help someone find financial support.

Related: Here’s the thing: Many women don’t even know they’re pregnant at 6 weeks

How to stay informed about your legal reproductive rights

With so much about reproductive care in flux, it’s helpful to know where to look to stay informed about abortion rights where you live. The Guttmacher Institute offers an overview of abortion laws, where you can find a detailed, state-by-state look at abortion regulations where you live.

The Repro Legal Helpline is another resource that answers questions about legal rights and abortion care for all ages via a hotline or a secure online form.

As the future of Roe v. Wade hangs in the balance, staying informed about your reproductive rights and access to safe abortion care can be one way to feel empowered and in control. Safe abortion care is essential healthcare. Everyone deserves to have the information and resources necessary to make the best decision for their body.

A version of this story was originally published on May 25, 2022. It has been updated.