Reproductive Justice

Access to reproductive healthcare in North Carolina is severely restricted.

• 90% of North Carolina counties have no clinics with the ability to provide an abortion.
• 53% of North Carolina women live in counties with no abortion clinic.
• A woman must receive state-directed counseling that includes information designed to discourage her from having an abortion, and then wait 72 hours before the procedure is provided.
• Health plans offered in the state’s health exchange under the Affordable Care Act can only cover abortion if the woman’s life is endangered, or in cases of rape or incest.
• The use of telemedicine to administer medication abortion is prohibited.
• The parent of a minor must consent before an abortion is provided.
• Public funding is available for abortion only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
• A woman must undergo an ultrasound before obtaining an abortion.

Healthcare research has consistently found that abortion is a safe and straightforward procedure. However, state restrictions like the ones currently enacted in North Carolina exacerbate existing social and economic barriers to health care and reduce access to safe and appropriate care for women. 

The majority of abortion clinic regulation and restriction occurs at the state level. Electing more pro-choice women to the North Carolina General Assembly is critical for protecting reproductive rights for women in North Carolina.