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Q. Is abortion legal?
A. Yes. Abortion is legal in the United States and Canada.
Q. Can my parents force me to have an abortion?
A. No. However, some states have laws that require a minor to involve her parents in the decision to have an abortion. More
Q. Do I need permission from my husband or partner to have an abortion? Will my provider contact him?
A. No. The Supreme Court has ruled that requiring a spouse's consent in order to have an abortion is unconstitutional. You may decide to tell your husband or partner, but the clinic will not contact him.
Q. Is it possible for an undocumented citizen to have an abortion in the United States or Canada?
A. Yes. The provider will require proof of identity, but your citizenship is irrelevant. Immigration Services will not be notified.
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Q. How do I find an abortion clinic?
A. There are several ways to find a clinic. You can call the NAF Hotline 1-800-772-9100, use our provider maps, or search in a local phone book. More
Q. Is there a point at which I can no longer have an abortion?
A. Yes. State laws, a woman's individual medical circumstances, and the availability of providers can all impact the accessibility of abortion care. Call the NAF Hotline for more information.
Q. Is there a difference between the morning-after pill and the abortion pill?
A. Yes. The morning-after pill (also known as Emergency Contraception, EC, Preven, or Plan B) prevents pregnancy and does not cause an abortion. It prevents fertilization of an egg or attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterine wall. The abortion pill (also known as RU-486, medical abortion, Mifeprex®, or mifepristone) terminates an already established pregnancy when used in combination with another medication. More
Q. Does abortion hurt?
A. There is some discomfort associated with both medical and surgical abortion as with most medical procedures. Most women describe it as uncomfortable but bearable.
Q. Is medical abortion or surgical abortion better?
A. Medical and surgical abortion are both safe and effective methods to end a pregnancy. Neither is better than the other. The process involved is different. Some women will prefer one over the other and some women might have medical conditions that would result in her provider recommending one over the other.
Q. Can my regular doctor or ob-gyn provide the abortion pill?
A. In order to offer the abortion pill, a doctor needs to meet some basic qualifications. Almost any doctor who provides women's reproductive health care can meet these qualifications. However, some doctors choose not to offer the abortion pill. Call your doctor to find out if they offer this service. If your doctor does not offer the abortion pill, call the NAF Hotline for assistance in finding a medical abortion provider.
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Q. Where can I get a free abortion?
A. Although you may be able to receive financial assistance from local or national abortion funds, it is unusual to obtain care cost-free. Call the NAF Hotline for more information on funding assistance.
Q. Does insurance cover the cost of an abortion?
A. Almost two-thirds of insurance companies cover elective abortion to some degree. Contact your insurance company to find out if you are covered.
Q. Does military insurance cover the cost of an abortion?
A. At this time, military health plans cover abortion only in cases of life endangerment.
Q. Does Medicaid or other state-assisted health insurance cover the cost of an abortion?
A. Medicaid is only required to cover abortion in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment. However, some states do cover abortion as part of their Medicaid policies.
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