Frequently asked questions

We’ve gathered answers to frequently asked questions about abortion access, gender-affirming care, and mental health to help our community navigate care, support, and available resources.

Abortion Care & Access

  • Abortion is legal in Oregon.

  • No. Oregon has no residency requirements; anyone within the state can access abortion services. You do not need to be a resident of Oregon or a U.S. citizen to get abortion services in Oregon. Oregon has no restrictions on abortions based on how far along in pregnancy you are.

    • There are also no required waiting periods before receiving an abortion.

    • There are no restrictions on getting medication abortion pills by mail within Oregon.

  • Yes. OHP covers abortions for Oregon residents, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, who make below a certain amount. Pregnant people can qualify for higher incomes than non-pregnant people. OHP can also assist with transportation costs, as well as, in some cases, lodging and meals. 

  • Oregon has no gestational limit on abortion, meaning that abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy. This is in accordance with the state's Reproductive Health Equity Act, which protects the right to abortion without restriction.

  • Yes. Abortion services in Oregon are confidential. Clinics are legally required to protect your privacy laws.

    • Medical Abortion (abortion pill): involves taking pills that end a pregnancy. It can be done at home and is a safe option during the early weeks of pregnancy. 

    • Procedural abortion (in-clinic procedure): This is a procedure done by medical staff at a clinic or hospital. It can be done at different stages of pregnancy and is safe and quick. 

  • No. A safe, uncomplicated, legal abortion does not affect a person’s ability to have children in the future unless there are significant complications, such as a damaged cervix. There is no evidence suggesting that having one or more abortions impacts the ability to get pregnant in the future.

  • Having more than one abortion is safe. The rates of any significant complications are relatively low, and they do not tend to rise regardless of whether you’ve had one or more abortions.

  • In most cases, abortion does not affect fertility or future pregnancies. It is possible to ovulate and become pregnant again shortly after (2 weeks). 

  • In most states, abortion is an option up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

    However, some states cap their restrictions at 20-22 weeks or have earlier limits such as 12 or 15 weeks. Few states have no gestational limit; Oregon is one of them. 

  • The average cost of an abortion can range from $800-$2,000, depending on the type of abortion (pill or in-clinic) and trimester.

    First-trimester abortions can cost about $600 at Planned Parenthood, and the pill $580. Later in the second trimester, the costs can reach up to $2,000. Your abortion may be free or low-cost with health insurance.

  • Minors who are 15 years and older can consent to medical services, including abortion services, without parental or guardian consent.

  • Yes. Medication abortion is a safe and effective option for ending an early pregnancy.

    Check out our blog:

  • Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs are nonprofit organizations that aim to reach people who are pregnant or seeking reproductive healthcare.

    While they may appear similar to medical clinics, they are not licensed healthcare facilities and do not adhere to medical or ethical practice standards.

    These centers are often funded by religious or ideological groups that do not support abortion or contraceptives, and their goal is often to dissuade people from accessing those services.

    If you have ANY QUESTIONS about Oregon law or legal changes in Idaho or other states, call our FREE and CONFIDENTIAL OREGON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS HOTLINE at:

    (503) 431-6460

Gender-Affirming Care & Support

  • Gender-affirming care is a framework of reproductive justice, which emphasizes an individual's human right to bodily autonomy and their right to make decisions about their own body. 

    It includes a range of medical, psychological, and social care to affirm an individual's gender identity.

  • Many insurance plans cover some transition-related services. Oregon requires health insurers to cover medically necessary treatments related to gender dysphoria if those treatments are covered for other conditions. OHP (Oregon Health Plan) covers all medically necessary treatments prescribed by a healthcare provider according to the Standard of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People.

  • Gender affirming care includes a variety of medical, psychological, and social services that support people in aligning their gender identity with their bodies. 

    Treatments and services include: 

    • Hormone Therapy 

    • Mental health therapy 

    • Pre-and post-surgical physical therapy

    • Puberty blockers 

    • Gender affirming surgery

  • Criteria to access GAC may include: 

    • Have mental health and medical professionals give a full assessment 

    • Have marked and sustained gender dysphoria 

    • Show they understand consent for the treatment 

    • Understand how treatment may affect fertility (if applicable) 

    • Have explored options to keep their fertility 

      • For surgery: An individual must have completed at least six months of hormone treatment if hormone treatment is being pursued; however, hormone therapy is not a requirement before surgery. 

    Adolescents may also need to: 

    • Have mental health and medical professionals give a full assessment 

    • Have their parent(s) or guardian(s) take part in the assessment, UNLESS this may cause harm or may not be possible. 

    • The minor will also have entered stage 2 of puberty

    • For surgery: must have completed at least 12 months of hormone therapy

  • In Oregon, a minor can consent to medical care starting at age 15, which includes gender-affirming treatment such as hormone blockers or gender affirming surgery. All such care is required to be covered by public and private insurance under Oregon’s HB 2002 protections.

Mental Health Care

  • Barriers to care often refer to obstacles that limit or prevent people from accessing care. These barriers often include systemic and cultural barriers.

    These can consist of policies and procedures that disproportionately affect minority communities.

    These can include access to medical insurance or financial obstacles that prevent affording treatment.

  • The term “stigma” refers to the feelings of shame that manifest due to the widespread misconceptions about mental health. These misconceptions can contribute to the behaviors and attitudes towards those struggling with mental health. Due to this stigma, individuals may feel reluctant or may delay seeking care.

  • Myth: Mental health issues are a sign of weakness.

    Fact: Mental health struggles are not a character flaw; multiple environmental factors contribute to our mental well-being, such as genetic or other stressors that can play a role. In some cultures, there is an emphasis on hard work, even at the expense of suppressing our emotional struggles. This suppression may prolong the time it takes a person to seek care. 


    Myth: Therapy is only for people with serious mental illness

    Fact: Therapy can be beneficial for everyone. While therapy can be a helpful tool for treating conditions like depression or anxiety, many people find therapy helpful with navigating their daily life stressors, like work and relationships. 

    Myth: Seeking help means I’ll have to take medication

    Fact: Treatment for mental health is highly individualized. While medication can be helpful for some people, there are other treatments, such as therapy. Medication is also not a one-size-fits-all solution; its effectiveness can vary depending on the person and their lifestyle. The key to finding what works best for you is having a transparent conversation with a psychiatrist.