What does access look like in restricted states?

Depending on where you live, how you get an abortion can look vastly different. But even in the most restricted states, people are finding ways to access care. So, how are people getting abortions?

Thanks in large part to the resiliency, trust and grit by abortion funds and grassroot organizers, access looks like:‍

Traveling to clinics where abortion is legal.
‍Not always the most convenient option or the cheapest, many people living in restricted states travel to clinics where abortion is accessible. They have to coordinate transportation, time off work, childcare, but abortion funds and practical support networks are helping. These groups can not only help pay for the procedure and travel costs but assist with all of the logistical support to make these trips possible.

‍Getting pills by mail. 
‍Traveling for healthcare can be burdensome and many people balancing parenting and work schedules don’t have that option. So instead, many people are self-managing an abortion with pills by mail. This is a method that has been around for decades, and since the pandemic has become much more widely available in the US. Plus, some states have enacted shield laws to allow for telehealth into states with bans – and while some degree of legal risk is inherent in today’s abortion access landscape, the ReproLegalHelpline.org can answer anyone’s questions for free. Thanks to community networks, online resources, and websites like plancpills.org, people are able to get accurate information and access pills no matter where they live.

‍Support organizations and hotlines that help people navigate access safely.
‍Ineedana.com — to find the nearest clinic, pills by mail and support orgs
‍Plan C Pills — to find abortion pills and support
‍M+A Hotline — for medical questions
‍Repro legal Helpline — for legal questions
‍Reprocare — a peer support hotline for navigating SMA
‍All-Options — emotional support
‍Aya Contigo App — a digital Spanish-language oriented companion for abortion

Whether you’re navigating state laws, supporting a loved one, or blasting these resources on social media, remember that we’re in this together. There is a strong network of organizations and communities ready to support people through every step—we just need people to know that they’re there.‍