US Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire
The Supreme Court’s unprecedented, dangerous decision to reverse Roe v. Wade has left millions of women and people seeking abortions with fewer rights and less access to essential health care. Navigating how and where to access important family planning services can be difficult and confusing.
Amid reports of patients experiencing difficulties accessing the care they need, it’s important for Granite Staters to know their rights and have access to resources.
Abortions are still safe and legal in New Hampshire. Here are the facts:
- Granite Staters can still schedule an abortion up to 24 weeks in most cases.
- There are exceptions for abortions after 24 weeks when the parents’ lives are at risk or in cases of fatal fetal anomalies.
- In response to public outcry, the ultrasound order for abortions was reversed and no longer in effect.
- For patients under the age of 18 requesting an abortion in New Hampshire, parental notification is required 48 hours prior to the abortion. A judge can overrule that request.
There are family planning providers throughout the state that perform abortion procedures.
There are organizations that help patients find financial support and access transportation resources for abortion care.
- The Reproductive Freedom Fund of New Hampshire provides funding for pregnant patients living in New Hampshire to access family planning services. You can call their hotline at 603-375-9078.
- Note: For Granite Staters with insurance through Medicaid, New Hampshire Healthy Families or Wellsense, abortions are only covered if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or if the life of the pregnant woman is in danger if the pregnancy continues .
Know your rights to access care and health insurance coverage.
Most public and private health insurance covers the costs of family planning counseling, birth control and other preventive services. That includes:
- Birth control pills, IUDs, emergency contraception like Plan B, sterilization procedures and patient education. More information on coverage requirements is available here.
- Health visits including pap smears and breast exams, prenatal care, breast and cervical cancer screenings, STI counseling, interpersonal violence screenings and more.
- Additionally, hospitals are required to provide emergency medical care, including abortion care, necessary to save a patient’s life. More information on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act here.
Beware of “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” that pose as health care clinics but do not perform abortions.
These fake clinics often offer free pregnancy tests or free ultrasounds, but the services are not performed by doctors and they use misinformation and fear to convince patients not to choose an abortion . These types of centers often have the words “pregnancy center” in their name. There are a number in all of New Hampshire and they do not provide impartial care.
There are legal resources available for patients who feel their rights have been violated.
The Biden administration has also worked tirelessly to promote access to abortion services.
My office is here to help.
The bottom line:
Granite Staters deserve access to the full spectrum of reproductive care, and there are organizations ready and willing to help. Get the facts so you can make an empowered decision that’s best for you and your family.