Oregon Abortion Law: Late-Term Abortion Access And Rights

Abortion in Oregon is legal at all stages of pregnancy, with no gestational limits. Oregon law allows anyone in the state to use abortion services, regardless of their residency status. The state also has no waiting periods, and medication abortion (abortion pills) can be accessed by mail. The Reproductive Health Equity Act, passed in 2017, requires health insurance plans to cover abortion care, with no out-of-pocket charges, and prohibits discrimination in coverage or care based on factors such as immigration status.

Abortion is legal in Oregon at all stages of pregnancy

Oregon's Reproductive Health Equity Act, passed in 2017, requires health insurance plans to cover abortion care, with no out-of-pocket charges. The Act also prohibits discrimination in coverage or care based on gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, or immigration status. This means that if you are undocumented or a lawful permanent resident, you cannot be discriminated against while seeking and/or receiving abortion care.

The state also allows qualified non-physician health professionals, such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives, to do first-trimester aspiration abortions and prescribe drugs for medical abortions.

Oregon has a history of protecting abortion rights. In 1971, Oregon modelled its abortion law after the British Abortion Act of 1967. In 2018, voters rejected a ballot measure that sought to limit the state's ability to use public funds to pay for abortions.

If you are 14 or younger in Oregon, you will need consent from a parent or guardian for medical care, including abortion. However, if getting consent is not an option, you can reach out for confidential help through the Repro Legal Helpline (844-868-2812) or the Oregon Reproductive Rights Hotline (503-431-6460).

Oregon has no gestational limits

Abortion laws vary from state to state across the US, and Oregon's legislation is notably more relaxed than most. Oregon has no gestational limits on abortions, meaning that abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy. This has been the case since at least 2017, when the Reproductive Health Equity Act was passed, which also required health insurance providers to cover abortion and absorb most of the costs of the procedure.

Oregon's stance on abortion is in direct contrast to the US Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which had protected abortion rights in the first trimester. Despite this, Oregon's laws remain unchanged, and the state continues to allow abortions at any stage of pregnancy. This is reflected in the Center for Reproductive Rights' classification of Oregon as highly protective of abortion rights.

In addition to having no gestational limits, Oregon also has no waiting periods for abortions, and medication abortion (abortion pills) can be accessed by mail. Oregon welcomes anyone who needs an abortion and cannot receive it in their home state, regardless of their residency or immigration status. The state's Reproductive Health Equity Act prohibits discrimination in coverage or care based on gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, or immigration status.

Oregon's abortion laws are among the most progressive in the nation, with no restrictions on abortion at all as of 2019. This is reflected in the continued availability of safe and effective medication abortion options, such as mifepristone and misoprostol, which can be prescribed by licensed providers following a telemedicine consultation for pregnancies up to 10 weeks of gestational age.

Non-residents can access abortion services in Oregon

Oregon's abortion laws are among the most liberal in the nation. The state has no gestational age limit on abortions, and abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy. Oregon law allows anyone physically present in the state to use abortion services provided in Oregon. However, all care, including pregnancy termination and follow-up care, must be completed in Oregon.

The OHSU Center for Women's Health offers appointments, including virtual visits, for people in Oregon or Washington. All care and treatment related to ending a pregnancy, including pregnancy termination and follow-up care, must take place in Oregon or Washington. The center offers cash pricing for those without insurance or who prefer to pay out of pocket. It also provides detailed counseling about options, with privacy, comfort, and convenience.

Oregon has a state health insurance program called Medicaid or the Oregon Health Plan that pays for most healthcare services, including abortion. Depending on income, non-residents may qualify for this free health coverage. However, only US citizens and legal permanent residents of more than five years qualify. Undocumented immigrants and legal permanent residents of fewer than five years do not qualify.

The Reproductive Health Equity Act requires most private health insurance plans to cover the cost of abortion care with no out-of-pocket costs. If your insurance company says they will not cover the cost of your procedure, you can contact the Northwest Abortion Access Fund (NWAAF) or your local abortion provider to learn about other options.

Oregon's Reproductive Health Equity Act prohibits discrimination in abortion care

Oregon's Reproductive Health Equity Act ensures that all Oregonians, regardless of income, citizenship status, gender identity, or type of insurance, have access to the full range of preventive reproductive health services, including family planning, abortion, and postpartum care. The Act prohibits discrimination in the provision of abortion care, ensuring that everyone in Oregon can access abortion services without facing barriers due to their personal characteristics or circumstances.

The Act recognises that restrictions on reproductive healthcare can have detrimental effects on the health and well-being of individuals, especially those who already face challenges in accessing quality care. These include low-income women, women of colour, immigrant women, young women, survivors of domestic violence, and transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. By prohibiting discrimination in abortion care, the Act ensures that these vulnerable populations have equal access to the services they need.

Under the Reproductive Health Equity Act, Oregon law allows anyone in the state to use abortion services. This means that individuals do not need to be residents of Oregon to access abortion care within the state. Additionally, the Act mandates that most Oregon private insurance plans cover the entire cost of an abortion, ensuring financial accessibility for those seeking abortion care.

The Act also provides specific protections for minors seeking abortion. While Oregon law requires individuals 14 years of age or younger to obtain consent from a parent or guardian for medical care, including abortion, confidential help is available for those who cannot or do not want to involve their parents or guardians. The Repro Legal Helpline and the Oregon Reproductive Rights Hotline offer free and private support for minors in these situations, helping them navigate their legal rights and access abortion services.

Oregon has no waiting periods for abortions

Abortion is legal in Oregon at all stages of pregnancy. Oregon law allows anyone in Oregon to use abortion services provided in the state. The state is classified as highly protective of abortion rights. Oregon does not require a waiting period for an abortion. However, your care may require more than one visit, depending on your situation and the type of abortion you have.

The OHSU Center for Women's Health provides abortions in a specialised clinic. They do not require a waiting period to begin care. Their care team is compassionate and sensitive to individual needs. They also have the training, experience and resources for complex cases that need extra attention and support.

In Oregon, you can have a medication abortion or a procedural abortion. A medication abortion involves taking pills to end a pregnancy. A procedural abortion, also known as a surgical abortion, involves a procedure in a clinic or hospital to end a pregnancy. The type of procedure varies depending on the length of pregnancy.

Medication abortions are an option for those who are up to 11 weeks (77 days) into their pregnancy. This type of abortion uses two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, taken as pills. At OHSU, you take the first medication, mifepristone, in the clinic or at a private location in Oregon or Washington. You take the second medication, misoprostol, at a private location in Oregon or Washington one or two days later. A follow-up visit is necessary to ensure the abortion is complete.

Procedural abortions can occur in one visit if you are less than 12 weeks along. If you are more than 12 weeks along, it may take one to two visits to gently prepare the cervix for the procedure.

Frequently asked questions