Reproductive health care, including access to birth control and safe and legal abortion care, is an essential part of your health and well-being. While Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion remains legal in many states, and other reproductive health care services remain protected by law. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has created a page with accurate and up-to-date information about access to and coverage of reproductive health care and resources. Read the information you need to know below:
Check Your Information Sources
Every state has crisis pregnancy centers that pose as abortion clinics or women’s healthcare providers who target people seeking information about pregnancy, birth control, and abortion.
Terminology like “pregnancy resource center” or “crisis pregnancy center” in a business’s title may indicate a fake women’s health clinic. These outfits are technically legal but don’t meet the standards for women’s healthcare. They also don’t present patients with the full range of options — especially not abortion — and offer limited information in a misleading way.
Some websites also position their content as “holistic” without giving information about abortion. For instance, the American Pregnancy Association claims to support pregnancy and wellness on its website and hotline, but does not provide information on the full range of options for terminating a pregnancy.
Resources like the Crisis Pregnancy Center Map and Expose Fake Clinics have searchable lists of predatory crisis pregnancy centers. Check to make sure a clinic isn’t on the list before making an appointment.
Planned Parenthood recommends that you trust your gut: “If something seems fishy, it probably is. And if you ever feel uncomfortable at a clinic, you have the right to leave at any time.” If you want to verify a website you’re unsure about, you can check with Planned Parenthood.
Be Aware of Digital Security and Privacy
Before you begin searching for information about abortion or contraception, you may need to be careful about how and where you search. In some cases, your digital footprint could be used against you.
Use encrypted messaging platforms, such as Signal, when talking to loved ones about birth control or abortion.
Consider using public computers, such as at a library, when researching abortion.
Use internet browsers with added privacy, such as DuckDuckGo.
Turn off location sharing on your phone or computer.
Don’t consent to police searches of your phone. Only a judge can legally compel you to turn over a phone, and it requires a subpoena.
If you usually use Face ID, turning off your phone will disable this feature and require your password, preventing police from accessing your data even if your phone is confiscated.
Remember Abortion Pills
Birth control can fail. Condoms can break. If you miss a period and realize you’re pregnant and don’t want to be, act fast. You can use an abortion pill in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy — about three months. If you’re not sure how long you’ve been pregnant, you can check using this pregnancy calculator from Aid Access.
The abortion pill is also referred to as medical abortion or “Plan C.” The medication is a combination of the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol, and is sold under multiple brands. The nonprofit organization also called Plan C can help you find emergency contraception in your state. If you are unsure of the abortion resources in your area, check this state-by-state guide to abortion guidelines from Abortion Finder. When in doubt, talk with your doctor about birth control and abortion.
Your Reproductive Rights
Below you will find information on your right to access care and have it covered by your insurance or other health care coverage if you have it, where to go if you don’t have coverage, and how to get information if you don’t know.
Most health coverage – whether you have public (e.g., Medicaid) or private health coverage (e.g., coverage through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace or through your employer) – cover family planning counseling, birth control and other preventive services at no cost to you.
Your Right to Birth Control
Under the Affordable Care Act, most health plans are required to provide you with birth control and family planning counseling with no out-of-pocket costs. This includes:
Hormonal methods, like birth control pills and vaginal rings
Implanted devices, like intrauterine devices (IUDs)
Emergency contraception, like Plan B® and ella®
Barrier methods, like diaphragms and sponges
Patient education and counseling
Sterilization procedures
Your Right to Access Abortion Services
Following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, access to abortion will depend on the state you live in even more than before.
Medication abortion has been approved by the FDA since 2000 as a safe and effective option. Federal regulation permits medication abortion to be dispensed by telehealth and sent by mail via certified prescribers and pharmacies, in addition to in-person dispensing in clinics, medical offices, and hospitals.
Under federal law, Medicaid will cover abortion services only in the circumstances of rape, incest or if the patient’s life is in danger.
If you need help paying for an abortion, abortion funds may be able to provide financial assistance. Information about abortion funds and resources to help are available at AbortionFinder.org exit disclaimer icon.
If you need information on your state’s laws or legal help, you may consider this website: AbortionFinder.org exit disclaimer icon
Your Right to Access Other Preventive Health Services
Under law, you have the right to access other preventive health services with no out-of-pocket costs under most health insurance plans. Most health insurance plans are required to cover women’s preventive health services, including:
Well-woman visits to screen your health at any time, including a pap smear, breast exam, and regular checkup; *Counseling and screening services; *Breast and cervical cancer screenings;
*Prenatal care, which is care you would receive while pregnant; *Breastfeeding services and supplies; *Interpersonal violence screening and counseling (e.g., sexual assault evidence collection exams); *HIV screening and *STI counseling. (Source: BlackDoctor.org by J.A. Casiano)