*Update: March 2024: There have been no changes since this article was written in 2021. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered a lower appellate court to reconsider a case that will determine whether Medicaid must cover abortions, but no official rulings have been made.
If you recently took a positive pregnancy test and are considering abortion, it’s important to take time to learn about the restrictions and rules in your state related to the process of terminating your pregnancy. Here are five abortion laws in Pennsylvania that you need to know about:
All patients must receive options counseling prior to their abortion procedures
Before undergoing an abortion procedure in the state of Pennsylvania, all patients must be provided with counseling on the options of parenting, adoption, and abortion. This counseling will provide women with an opportunity to ask medical professionals questions about their various options and the risks and side effects they may encounter when receiving an abortion.
After the initial counseling session, patients are required to wait for 24-hours before accessing an abortion. This provides women with the time they need to process the information they’ve gathered and make an informed decision regarding their pregnancy.1
Abortions are only covered using public funding in certain situations
In the state of Pennsylvania, public funding can only be used to cover abortion procedures in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest (unless individuals have opted to purchase an additional insurance rider).2
For those who are seeking an abortion without insurance coverage, the procedure will cost anywhere from $500 to $3000, depending on the stage of your pregnancy.
To learn how far along you are, schedule a free pregnancy confirmation appointment with your local pregnancy clinic.
Parents must provide consent before a minor can access an abortion
Abortion is a serious medical procedure and can be accompanied by severe side effects and health risks. Because of this, minors (women under 18) are required to inform their parents of their pregnancies and receive consent prior to accessing an abortion procedure (or attain a judicial bypass).3
To further educate yourself regarding the risks of abortion and to receive guidance on how to best share the news with your parents, visit North Care Women’s Clinic today!
Note that while the law requires parental consent before an abortion, you do not need a parent to accompany you to your appointment at our clinic.
Abortions can be performed later than 24 weeks only in cases of life or health endangerment
The state of Pennsylvania allows abortions up to 24 weeks after the last menstrual period. Abortions accessed after this point are only legal in the cases of life or health endangerment.4
To know if you are eligible for an abortion in the state of Pennsylvania, schedule your free pregnancy confirmation appointment at North Care Women’s Clinic!
Abortions for the purpose of sex selection are not legal
While many women choose abortion because they don’t feel ready to parent, some women decide to terminate their pregnancies for the purpose of sex selection. This human rights law exists to protect certain genders (typically females) from being denied the chance to live.5
To learn more about Pennsylvania abortion laws and your eligibility for abortion procedures, schedule your free appointment at North Care Women’s Clinic today!
1. Pennsylvania General Assembly. Consolidated Statutes. Title 18. Chapter 32, “The Abortion Control Act.” §3202, Section B, Sub-Section 5.
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=32
2. Pennsylvania General Assembly. Consolidated Statutes. Title 18. Chapter 32, “The Abortion Control Act.” § 3215. Section (c).
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=32
3. Pennsylvania General Assembly. Consolidated Statutes. Title 18. Chapter 32, “The Abortion Control Act.” § 3206. Parental consent.
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=32
4. Pennsylvania General Assembly. Consolidated Statutes. Title 18. Chapter 32, “The Abortion Control Act.” § 3211.
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=32
5. Pennsylvania General Assembly. Consolidated Statutes. Title 18. Chapter 32, “The Abortion Control Act.” § 3204. Section (c).
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=32
6. Allegheny Reproductive Health Center v. PA Department of Human Services – 26 MAP 2021 | Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. (n.d.). Www.pacourts.us. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://www.pacourts.us/news-and-statistics/cases-of-public-interest/allegheny-reproductive-health-center-v-pa-department-of-human-services—26-map-2021
