SACRAMENTO, Calif. — It's been more than six months since Texas enacted a near-ban on abortions, and California is catching a glimpse of how such decisions, state by state, can affect its role in providing the service to people living outside the state.
Since Texas passed its law, several other states have enacted restrictions. Recently, Oklahoma took a step toward banning most abortions, regardless of how early in the pregnancy.
Meanwhile, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that will make abortions cheaper, for some, in a state known for its progressive abortion policies.
And as the future of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that protects the right to abortion, is in question, many could look to California as their nearest abortion access point.
Brandon Richards, director of communications for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said that Roe v. Wade is likely to be overturned and that the state has already seen how important it is for people seeking reproductive care.
"For the last six months, we've been living in a country where there's currently a state, Texas, that is living without those protections," he said in a February interview. "Texans are living in a state where Roe v. Wade basically does not exist. ... Just that one state has had an impact on California."
According to Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that advocates for abortion rights, if Roe v. Wade falls and a total ban or severe abortion restrictions are drawn in the expected 26 states, California would become the closest no-ban state within driving distance for roughly 1.4 million patients.
States enacted more than 100 abortion restrictions in 2021, the highest number passed since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. Guttmacher said it was the worst year for abortion rights and access.
"Here in California, regardless of what the Supreme Court does, people are going to be able to access abortion here," Richards said.
Here's what to know about the system in California, access and other resources:
What does abortion access look like in California?
Californians have a legal right to an abortion.
The state law allows a person to obtain the procedure before fetal viability. California does prohibit abortion after the point "when a physician determines based on a good-faith medical judgment that there is a reasonable likelihood the fetus can survive outside the uterus without extraordinary medical measures," according to the ACLU of Northern California. The exception: if the pregnancy threatens the life or health of the pregnant person.
Out of state residents are able to access California abortion services.
How much does it cost?
Abortions can cost up to $1,500, depending on someone's health insurance, income and local financial support programs. Other variables include their location, the type of abortion and how far along the pregnancy is.
Here are several financial resources:
—National Network of Abortion Funds: Organizations supporting financial and logistical needs for an abortion.
—Abortion Finder: Up-to-date information about the availability of abortion care across the country.
—National Abortion Federation: The largest national, toll-free, multilingual hotline for abortion referrals and financial assistance in the U.S. and Canada.
—Provide Care: Financial resources for abortion.
The Abortion Accessibility Act that Newsom signed on March 22 prohibits health plans and insurers from imposing a co-pay, deductible or other cost-sharing requirements for abortion and abortion-related services, according to a news release. This effectively eliminates out-of-pocket expenses for services covered by insurance.
California law requires health insurance plans to cover abortion services.
What are the different types of abortion?
There are several types of abortion procedures, including at-home and in-clinic services. Here are the options, according to Planned Parenthood:
THE ABORTION PILL
According to Planned Parenthood, medical abortion, or the abortion pill, is a "safe and effective way to end an early pregnancy." This option is for people who are no more than 10 weeks pregnant or if it's been up to 70 days after the first day of your last period.
The process causes heavy cramping and is similar to an early miscarriage. It can take a day or two to complete the process.
SUCTION ABORTION
Suction abortion, or vacuum aspiration, is the most common type of in-clinic abortion. It uses gentle suction and is typically used until about 14 to 16 weeks after someone's last period.
The procedure usually takes five to 10 minutes.
DILATION AND EVACUATION PROCEDURE
Dilation and evacuation is another kind of in-clinic abortion procedure; it takes between 10 and 20 minutes. It uses suction and medical tools. This option is usually for people who haven't had their period for 16 weeks or longer.
The level of discomfort someone may have during and after an abortion varies, according to Planned Parenthood's in-clinic abortion page. Planned Parenthood also provides information on how an abortion will affect your period, when it's safe to have sex and use birth control again.
Contraceptives and emergency contraceptives
To delay or prevent pregnancy, there are several contraceptive methods available: intrauterine, hormonal, lactational amenorrhea, barrier and fertility-awareness-based methods.
Clinics such as Planned Parenthood can also help people access these contraceptives.
There is also emergency contraception, which is not a regular method of contraception, and should be applied after no birth control was used during sex or if the birth control method failed. Emergency contraception is not the same as abortion, as it is still a preventative measure and does not end an existing pregnancy.
Here are the emergency contraceptive options, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
—Contraceptive pills: Emergency contraceptive pills can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex, but the sooner they're taken, the more effective they are.
—Copper T intrauterine device (IUD): A small device, in the shape of the letter T, inserted by a health professional within five days of unprotected sex.
Resources
Here are several services that may help someone decide how to move forward with a pregnancy:
— Planned Parenthood health center: Provides several health care services: abortion and referrals, birth control and emergency contraceptives, general health care and more.
— All Options talkline: A peer-based counseling and support hotline made up of volunteers who are unlicensed professionals.
—Choice Network: An adoption agency.
—The National Pro-Choice Adoption Collaborative: Offers pregnancy counseling to help explore parenting, adoption and abortion.
—Open Adoption and Family Services: Offers help deciding how to move forward with a pregnancy and more.
—Friends in Adoption: A U.S. adoption agency offering support in creating an adoption plan.
—FPA Women's Health: A health center offering several services: abortion, gynecology services, family planning, behavioral health and more.
—California's crisis pregnancy centers: These centers traditionally deter people from abortion.
You can find provider locations and other information through the following websites:
—Abortion finder
—National Abortion Federation
—UC Davis Health
—Planned Parenthood
