DALLAS — A virtual web of reproductive health groups is openly helping Texans circumvent legal and logistical barriers set in place by strict anti-abortion laws, including those that ban shipping abortion medications by mail.
With a few clicks of the mouse, Texans seeking abortion pills can view a list of vetted providers, visit virtually with a clinician in Massachusetts and arrange for medication to be sent directly — even though prescribing the pills is illegal in the nation’s second-largest state.
The network of pill providers and educators — which existed long before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal protections — is ramping up efforts to reach women in states that passed laws making abortion illegal.
“It’s just so important that people know that they still have options, even in Texas,” said Elisa Wells, co-founder and co-director of the abortion information nonprofit Plan C.
Ads for abortion pill access hit the radio this summer as part of an awareness campaign for Plan C in major markets across the country, including Dallas, Houston and the Rio Grande Valley. The group’s ads on social media are reminiscent of prescription drug advertisements.
“I found out people were getting abortion pills by mail in nearly every state, so that’s what I did,” said a mom while braiding her daughter’s hair in a Plan C online video ad. “I spoke to someone about the possible legal risks and got answers to my medical questions for free.”
Pills by mail are a thorn to abortion opponents that spent decades trying to ban abortions nationwide and found victory with the Supreme Court’s decision last year.
Amy O’Donnell, communications director for Texas Alliance for Life, said the nonprofit dedicated to protecting the “right to life” beginning at conception is acutely aware of groups that provide abortion pills to Texans.
“This is something that we proactively work to bring legislation for that would provide a deterrent for any who would wish to illegally traffic those mail-order drugs to Texas women from within our state or from another state,” O’Donnell said.
The traveling abortion kit
The process is intentionally easy and user-friendly. A turquoise button that reads “Find Abortion Pills” sits near the center of the Plan C landing page. Colorful illustrations — of a hand holding five tablets, of red mailboxes on a blue post — guide users through options tailored to where they live.
Plan C generates nearly 30 options between $0 and $470 for Texas residents. Pills can land at someone’s doorstep in a matter of days.
A yellow caution symbol pops up on the Plan C page for Texas.
There are several relatively cheap and accessible abortion pill options, even with current state restrictions, the alert reads. It also links to a list of potential legal risks.
Clients who are less than 13 weeks pregnant can stay where they are using telehealth services, community support networks and websites that sell pills. Mailed abortion kits have five pills, one mifepristone and four misoprostol tablets, although some users require additional misoprostol pills based on how far along they are in pregnancy.
The three pills-by-mail categories range in price and level of privacy. Aid Access, the only U.S.-based telehealth abortion pill provider currently working in Texas, requires an ID and a virtual consultation.
Community support network Las Libres, based out of Mexico, mails generic pills through volunteers located in the U.S. No medical consultation or prescription is required.
Plan C details 25 websites that sell pills, organized by price and delivery time. The initiative tests the pill providers to make sure they send the pills in the time frame that’s promised.