Abortion rights in Washington State

Yes. In Washington State, you have the legal right at any age to end your pregnancy. The United States Supreme Court's decision that overturned Roe v. Wade did not change this legal right for people who live in Washington State.

Yes, up until the time when a fetus could survive outside of the uterus (when the fetus becomes viable, as determined by your medical provider). After that, you may only get an abortion if continuing the pregnancy would endanger your life or physical or mental health.

No. No one will ask you about this.

No.

If you're under age 18, and you want to know what other health care you can get on your own, read I'm under 18. When can I get health care without an adult's consent? to learn more.

Yes. No one else has the right to know about it. Under federal law, your doctor cannot share information about your medical care.

In Washington State, if you don't want your insurance company to send information to your home or to the person paying for your insurance, you can send the insurance company a confidentiality request form created by the state Office of Insurance Commissioner to let them know how to communicate directly with you instead. You can download this form separately through the Office of Insurance Commissioner or with the rest of this publication in the PDF at the bottom of this page.

Probably. Under Washington state law, most health insurance plans in this state that cover pregnancy care must also cover abortions. If you have a Providence Health Plan, the Washington State Department of Health will cover an abortion.

You can apply for Washington State's Family Planning Only program. It covers a range of reproductive health care needs and services.

In Washington State, it is illegal for protesters to do any of these things:

• Stop you from entering a clinic or other medical facility
• Threaten you or anyone who is with you
• Make loud noises outside that disturb you inside the clinic
• Trespass on the clinic's private property

If any of these happens to you, tell the clinic staff, consider calling 9-1-1, and contact Legal Voice at info@legalvoice.org or 206-682-9552. Legal Voice specializes in reproductive legal rights in the Pacific Northwest.

No. Most pregnancy crisis centers have no medical professionals on staff. If you're looking for a free pregnancy test, you can contact a community health clinic or family planning clinic.

Washington now has a "shield law." This new law prevents cooperation with out-of-state investigations and prosecutions of abortions that take place legally in this state. This means that the state you live in cannot get information about any reproductive health care you got here. But you should also check the laws of the state where you live.

You can visit the Washington State Department of Health website. 

We have lots of information at WashingtonLawHelp.org.