After the Supreme Court’s decision in Jackson Women’s Health v. Dobbs, abortion has been entirely banned in Texas. Those performing abortions and potentially those who “aid or abet” abortions in Texas will be subject to significant criminal penalties at that time, but a pregnant person cannot be prosecuted. Additionally, SB8 still imposes civil penalties of $10,000 on anyone other than a pregnant person who provides or assists with abortions in Texas, and allows any person in Texas (other than state employees) to sue under its provisions.

Texans who need abortion care must access care in states where it is legal. You can find a list of those states here.

First, look at the list of clinics and call to get an appointment in a state where abortion is available. Jane’s Due Process may have information specifically relevant for minors, even though judicial bypass is likely no longer available in Texas. If you need help paying for an abortion or traveling to the clinic, here is a list of organizations that may be able to help.

The average cost of a first-trimester abortion can start at around $550, however, the cost can vary based on the provider and certain medical conditions. If you are past 12 weeks, the cost will be higher and will increase the further along you are in the pregnancy.

Depending on the state you’re traveling to for care, there may or may not be a waiting period. These waiting periods range from 24 to 72 hours in duration. All states that have ultrasound requirements also have mandatory waiting periods. In conjunction, these requirements often result in the pregnant person having to attend two separate in-person appointments with their abortion provider. The clinic experience for blood work, counseling, and a sonogram to confirm pregnancy. 

Many anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers” offer free sonograms, sometimes in a van or bus outside the clinic, but this is an attempt to get you to come in so they can try to coerce you out of having an abortion. These centers are not supportive of all your options and will not help you get an abortion if that is what you want. Anti-abortion centers are deceptive with their marketing and Google may not always be a reliable way to find an actual abortion clinic. To avoid going to an anti-abortion center, make sure you use the resources and links on this webpage.

Your experience at the clinic will vary slightly depending on the provider and which abortion procedure you choose. There are two types of abortion procedures that are offered, medication abortion (abortion pills) and procedural abortion; both procedures are safe and effective.

Probably not. Unfortunately, Medicaid only covers abortion care in the case of rape or incest, and many private Texas insurance policies only cover abortion in cases of life endangerment, however, you should check with your insurance company to determine your coverage. If you confirm you have insurance coverage, check with your clinic about how to use it – you may need to submit for reimbursement after your abortion. If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) you might be able to use it for your procedure. Confirm with your benefits provider if you can use it for travel and care, and with the clinic to see if they accept FSA cards.

Since the Dobbs decision, the majority of Texans needing care have had to travel out of state for it. Some abortion funds can help you get to the clinic by finding you a ride, paying for a bus ticket or flight as well, and if needed providing a hotel or a safe lodging option if funding and resources are available.

No. If you are interested in having an abortion or want to talk to someone about all your pregnancy options, there are a couple of hotlines listed on our resource list we recommend you call instead. 

The places offering free pregnancy tests and sonograms are anti-abortion centers that are referred to as crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) or “fake clinics”. They’re unregulated and unlicensed and advertise themselves as pregnancy resource centers, but they are not full-options counseling centers and cannot be trusted for medical advice. These centers are run by anti-abortion organizations that promise free services in an attempt to force their views on you. While it may be tempting to visit one of these centers with abortion clinics across the state closed, we believe you deserve accurate healthcare and counseling from a licensed medical provider and counselors.

When making your appointment with the clinic remember to ask about any laws you might have to follow including whether an ID is required. Also, be sure to check that your form of ID will be accepted at the clinic.

NeedAbortion.org is an online directory to help Texans find accurate information and resources. Nothing here is intended to serve as legal advice nor do we provide legal assistance. We understand that in states where abortion is illegal, there might be legal concerns around pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. The Repro Legal Helpline has a FAQ page about the situations they can assist with and a hotline you can reach them at.