Abortion in The United States

Is Abortion Legal in The United States?

In the United States, the legality of abortion differs depending on which state a person is located in. In 1973, the United States Supreme Court decision in the case of Roe vs. Wade guaranteed the right to abortion. However, in 2022, the United States Supreme Court decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization removed the federal constitutional right to an abortion. Numerous state-based laws restrict access in many ways including

• Gestational age limits
• Requiring consent for minors (Judicial bypass is an option for minors who cannot notify or get consent from a parent or legal guardian)
• Waiting periods between inital consultation and initiating the abortion
• Requiring that only doctors provide the abortion

Find your state or district below for more information about state-specific restrictions:

• Alabama – As of June 24, 2022, the Human Life Protection Act bans abortion with exceptions for if an abortion is deemed medically necessary to protect the life of the pregnant person. It is legal to leave the state to obtain an abortion.
• Alaska – Abortion is legal and protected in the state of Alaska with the limitations of required counseling and parental consent for minors. There are no gestational limits and no required waiting period.
• Arizona – Abortion is legal in Arizona, but there are restrictions. Abortion is legal until the stage of viability is reached (24-26 weeks). There is a 24-hour waiting period. Parental consent is required for minors. On September 24, 2022, new restrictions may come into effect that ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
• Arkansas – As of June 24, 2022, abortion is completely banned in Arkansas. The only exception is if an abortion is needed to save a pregnant person’s life. It is legal to leave the state to obtain an abortion.
• California – Abortion is legal in California up until the sage of viability (24-26 weeks). Parental consent is not required for minors. There is no waiting period.
• Colorado – Abortion is legal in Colorado. There are no gestational limits. Parental consent for minors is required. There is no waiting period.
• Connecticut – Abortion is legal in Conneticut up until viability (24-26 weeks of pregnancy). Parental consent is not required for minors. There is no waiting period.
• Delaware – Abortion is legal in Delaware up until viability (24-26 weeks of pregnancy). If someone under the age of 16 is pregnant, parental consent is required. There is no waiting period.
• District of Columbia – Abortion is legal in Washington, D.C. There are no gestational limits. Parental consent is not required for minors. There is no waiting period.
• Florida – Abortion is legal in Florida, but it is banned after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Parental consent is required for minors. There is a 24-hour waiting period. It is legal to leave the state to obtain an abortion.
• Georgia – Abortion is legal in Georgia, but it is banned past 6 weeks of pregnancy. There are a few exceptions when abortion is allowed: if necessary to save the person’s life or prevent physical harm, if the fetus is not expected to survive, or if the person was a victim of rape/and or incest. It is legal to leave the state to get an abortion. There is a 24-hour waiting period and parental consent is required for minors.
• Hawaii – Abortion is legal in Hawai’i up until viability (24-26 weeks of pregnancy). There is no waiting period and no parental consent is required.
• Idaho – As of August 25, 2022, abortion is completely banned in Idaho with the exception of if it is deemed necessary to save the pregnant person’s life or if the person is a victim of rape and/or incest. It is legal to leave the state to get an abortion.
• Illinois – Abortion is legal until viability (24-26 weeks). There is no waiting period. Parental consent is not required for minors.
• Indiana – Abortion is legal until 21 weeks and 6 days. There is an 18 hour waiting period and parental consent is required for those 17 and under. Abortion may be banned on September 15, 2022.
• Iowa – Abortion is legal until 21 weeks and 6 days. There is a 24-hour waiting period. Parental consent is required for those 17 and under. Abortion restrictions may be coming.
• Kansas – Abortion is legal until 21 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. There is a 24-hour waiting period and parental consent is required for those 17 and under.
• Kentucky – As of July 15, 2022, abortion is completely banned unless it is necessary to save the life of the pregnant person. It is legal to leave the state to get an abortion.
• Louisiana – As of June 24, 2022, abortion is banned with limited exceptions. Exceptions are allowed if necessary to save the life of a pregnant person or if the fetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy. It is legal to leave Louisiana to get an abortion.
• Maine – Abortion is legal until viability (24-26 weeks). There is no waiting period. Parental consent is not required.
• Maryland – Abortion is legal until viability (24-26 weeks). There is no waiting period. Parental consent is required for minors.
• Massachusetts – Abortion is legal until 23 weeks and 6 days. There is no waiting period. Parental consent is required for those under 16.
• Michigan – Abortion is legal until viability (24-26 weeks). There is a 24-hour waiting period. Parental consent is required for minors.
• Minnesota – Abortion is legal until viability (24-26 weeks). There is no waiting period. Parental consent is not required.
• Mississippi – As of July 7, 2022, abortion is banned. There are exceptions that include if it is necessary to save the life of the pregnant person, if the pregnancy poses a risk to the person’s health, or if the fetus will have health issues throughout the pregnancy.
• Missouri – As of June 24, 2022, abortion is banned unless it is needed to save the life of the pregnant person or if the pregnancy poses a serious risk to the person’s health.
• Montana – Abortion is legal until viability (24-26 weeks). There is no waiting period. Parental consent is required for those under 16.
• Nebraska – Abortion is legal until 21 weeks and 6 days. There is a 24-hour waiting period. Parental consent is required for minors. It is legal to travel out-of-state for an abortion.
• Nevada – Abortion is legal until 25 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. There is no waiting period. Parental consent is not required for minors.
• New Hampshire – Abortion is legal until 23 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. There is no waiting period. Parental consent is required for minors.
• New Jersey – Abortion is legal. There is no gestational limit. There is no waiting period. Parental consent is not required.
• New Mexico – Abortion is legal. There is no gestational limit. There is no waiting period. Parental consent is not required for minors.
• New York – Abortion is legal until viabiblity (24-26 weeks). There is no waiting period. Parental consent is not required.
• North Carolina – Abortion is legal until 20 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. There is a 72-hour waiting period. Parental consent is required for minors.
• North Dakota – Abortion is legal until 21 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. There is a 24-hour waiting period. Parental consent is required for minors. An abortion ban is being challenged in court.
• Ohio – Abortion is legal until 6 weeks of pregnancy. Exceptions include if it is necessary to save the life of a pregnant person or if the pregnancy poses a risk to the person’s health. There is a 24-hour waiting period. Parental consent is required for minors. It is legal to leave the state for an abortion.
• Oklahoma – As of May 25, 2022, abortion is banned unless it is necessary to save the life of a pregnant person. It is legal to leave the state to get an abortion.
• Oregon – Abortion is legal. There are no gestational limits. There is no waiting period. Parental consent is not required for minors.
• Pennsylvania – Abortion is legal until 23 weeks and 6 days. There is a 24-hour waiting period and parental consent is required for minors.
• Rhode Island – Abortion is legal until viability (24-26 weeks). There is no waiting period. Parental consent is required for minors who are 17 and younger.
• South Carolina – Abortion is legal up until 21 weeks and 6 days. There is a 24-hour waiting period and parental consent is required for minors who are 16 and younger. An abortion ban is facing legal challenges.
• South Dakota – As of June 24, 2022, abortion is banned unless it is needed to save the life of a pregnant person. It is legal to leave the state to get an abortion.
• Tennessee – As of August 25, 2022, abortion is banned in the state. Exceptions include if it is necessary to save the life of a pregnant person or if the fetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy. It is legal to leave the state to get an abortion.
• Texas – Abortion is banned in Texas as of July 1, 2022. The only exceptions are to save the life of a pregnant person or if the pregnancy will harm the pregnant person’s health. It is legal to travel to get an abortion. SB 8 poses a serious legal risk to people seeking an abortion in the state. Please contact the Repro Legal Helpline.
• Utah – Abortion is legal up until 18 weeks of pregnancy. There is a 72-hour waiting period. Parental consent is required for minors. An abortion ban is currently under debate in the court system.
• Vermont – Abortion is legal in Vermont. There is no waiting period. Parental consent is not required for minors. There is no gestational limit.
• Virginia – Abortion is legal up until 26 weeks and 6 days. There is no waiting period and parental consent is required for minors.
• Washington – Abortion is legal up until viability (24-26 weeks). There is no waiting period and parental consent is not required for minors.
• West Virginia – Abortion is legal in West Virginia until 21 weeks and 6 days. There is a 24-hour waiting period and parental consent is required for minors. Restriction laws are being challenged in court.
• Wisconsin – Abortion is legal in Wisconsin up until 21 weeks and 6 days. There is a 24-hour waiting period and parental consent is required for minors. However, laws restricting abortion are being debated.
• Wyoming – Abortion is legal in Wyoming up until viability (24-26 weeks). There is no waiting period. Parental consent is required for minors. A law banning abortion went into effect on July 27, 2022, but due to legal challenges in court, it is not being enforced.

For additional state-by state information, visits abortionfinder.org

What Types of Abortion Are Available in The United States?

• Medical abortion or abortion pills (Misoprostol and Mifepristone)
• Surgical abortion
• Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)
• Dilation and Curettage (D&C)

What Is the Abortion Rate in The United States? How Many Women Have Abortions?

In 2020, the abortion rate in the U.S. was 14.4 abortions per 1,000 women. That same year, about 1 in 5 pregnancies ended in abortion.

Abortion with Pills (Medical Abortion) in The United States

Are the Abortion Pills (Mifepristone and Misoprostol) Available in The United States?

Yes.

How Late Into a Pregnancy Can the Abortion Pills Be Used?

Mifepristone and misoprostol are effective up until 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Do I Need a Prescription for Mifepristone or Misoprostol?

Yes.

What Brands of Abortion Pill Are Popular in The United States?

Mifepristone and Misoprostol.

How Much Do the Abortion Pills Cost in The United States?

$150-$750

The price of abortion pills vary depending on who you are receiving them from. There are health centers such as Planned Parenthood that provide the abortion pill and it could be covered by your insurance. There are also online clinics that can ship abortion pills directly to your home, but it is important to verify that it is a legitimate service.

PlanCPills.org is a website that can help you locate providers that will ship to your home.
Some insurance plans and state reimbursement plans cover abortion, though many do not. The National Network of Abortion Funds can help those requiring financial assistance access support for the abortion and related costs (such as travel to a clinic).
If you need financial help to pay for your abortion, there are funds throughout the USA that may be able to give you a loan or grant for part of the costs. The first step is to call the clinic where you will have your abortion. To find a clinic, you can check http://prochoice.org/think-youre-pregnant/find-a-provider/ or http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center. Clinics listed at these sites are able to give you a small grant to help pay for your abortion through the Justice Fund. They can also tell you if Medicaid can help cover the cost of abortion in your state.
For additional financial support, there are abortion funds in most states. Go to www.abortionfunds.org to find the fund in your state. You can also call the helpline at the National Abortion Federation for referrals and funding. The number is 1-800-772-9100 and the best times to call are between 6 and 11:00 PM EST Mon-Friday, noon-9:00 PM EST on Saturdays, or anytime on Sunday 9 AM -9:00 PM EST.

Who Can I Contact for More Information on Legal Abortion in The United States?

• National Network of Abortion Funds: Learn more about availble financial support for your abortion
• Abortionfinder.org: Features the most comprehensive directory of trusted (and verified) abortion service providers and assistance resources in the United States.
• Shoutyourabortion.org: Access resources to help you have a safe abortion.
• Planned Parenthood: Health services and resources
• Abortion Care Network: Health services and resources
• Plan C: Health services and resources
• Hey Jane: Health services and resources
• Self-managed Abortion Safe and Supported: Health services and resources
• Self-induced Abortion Legal Team: Legal counsel
• All Options: Pregnancy, parenting, abortion, adoption resources
• The National Abortion Federation: Information resources
• M+A Hotline: If you need support to self-manage your miscarriage or abortion, call or text the Miscarriage + Abortion Hotline, 833-246-2632.
• Mayday.health: Visit Mayday to learn how to get abortion pills in any state in the first 12 weeks.
• Repro Legal Helpline: Legal counsel and information
• Reprocare: If you need support to self manage an abortion, call or text Reprocare at 833-226-7821
• Carafem: Early abortion care, contraception services, and STI testing and treatment in four health centers and through telehealth in 15 states.

In-Clinic Abortion in The United States

What Are the Different Types of in-Clinic Abortion Procedures Available in The United States?

• Surgical abortion
• Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)
• Dilation and Curettage (D&C)

Where Can I Get a Manual Vacum Aspiration (MVA) Abortion in The United States?

Manual vacuum aspiration is the most common type of in-clinic abortion and can be done by many abortion providers, including Carafem and Planned Parenthood.

How Much Does Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) Cost in The United States?

$460 – $2,300
Cost differs depending on provider and health insurance.

How Do I Get More Information?

For additional information and support, you can get in touch with our trained multilingual female counselors.