Table of Contents

1. ABORTION ACCESS
2. NEED AN ABORTION?
3. DMV AREA CLINICS
4. ABORTION PILLS
5. ABORTION FUNDS IN THE DMV
6. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT RESOURCES
7. PRACTICAL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
8. LEGAL RESOURCES
9. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
10. DIGITAL SECURITY
11. ABORTION FUNDS OUTSIDE OF DC

To suggest edits or other content, please email bawg@mdcdsa.org

ABORTION ACCESS

Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America (MDC DSA) considers abortion to be a right for all who need it. The erosion of reproductive rights has had a long history that has disproportionately affected the working class. For abortion to truly be accessible it must be safe, legal, available, and free.

Although fighting for this right will be difficult,  MDC DSA is well-positioned to aid and lead in the struggle. Washington D.C. has long been a sanctuary for abortion access for those from more restrictive states. In March 2025, we launched a pressure campaign asking members of Congress to oppose the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2025. Read more about what the bill is and how to oppose it here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/nobans 

In addition to working toward a future where abortion is easily accessible to all, we also want to promote how to access reproductive healthcare within the current political climate. With that in mind, MDC DSA has gathered the following resources, including information on abortion pills, local and national abortion funds, travel and accommodations, and legal and educational resources. 

NEED AN ABORTION?

FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1. If you have insurance, find out the insurance you have covers your abortion. Call your insurance company to ask if abortion is a covered benefit, and ask for an in-network clinic. You can often find their phone number on the back of your insurance card. If you know you have Medicaid, click here to find out if your state covers abortion.
   1. Unfortunately, in the DMV region, MD Medicaid is the only public provider in the area that covers abortion. 
2. Make an appointment at a clinic or virtually for your abortion before searching for funding. Call different clinics to find which one costs the least. Tell the clinic if you can’t afford it and ask if there are any discounts.  You can make an appointment for your abortion even if you’re not sure how you’ll pay for it. Additionally, clinics don’t charge you for rescheduling. Click here to find a clinic.
3. Add up how much you can cover on your own. Abortion funds often don’t have the money to cover the entire cost of your abortion; any money you can contribute will be greatly helpful in organizing arrangements.

• If you need funding:

1. First: seek financial assistance through a national organization.
   1. If you are scheduled at a Planned Parenthood of Metro Washington DC (PPMW) clinic, call 202-347-8512 and ask to be screened for financial assistance.
      1. For appointments at Planned Parenthoods other than PPMW, call 800-230-PLAN (7526) and enter the zip code where your appointment is located. Ask to be screened for financial assistance.
      2. For all other appointments, call the National Abortion Federation Hotline at 1-800-772-9100 or use their online chat feature. If you qualify, they could cover up to 30% of the procedure. 
         1. Hours: Monday – Friday 8 am-7 pm ET
            Saturday & Sunday 8 am – 4 pm ET
   2. Second, call the DC Abortion Fund. 
      1. For this option, their main requirement is that you seekers arrange for care within Washington D.C.
      2. If you live in DC, please fill out this form and DCAF will pay the clinic directly. 
2. Use the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) search box and or the INeedAnA search tool to find abortion funds that can help cover expenses. To maximize your funding sources,  search the state where your clinic appointment is located, as well as your home state if they are not the same— and click “List All National” to see funds that provide assistance nation-wide. 
   1. Read the instructions before you contact an abortion fund on the list.  Ensure you’re a good fit for funding and learn the best way to contact them.
   2. Contact multiple funds: Many abortion patients receive assistance from more than one abortion fund or practical support organization. If you meet the criteria for more than one of the funds on the NNAF or INeedAnA websites, contact them! If you only find one on the website, ask the case manager at the first fund you contact if they recommend reaching out to any additional abortion funds.

3. DMV AREA CLINICS

Overview

There are several clinics available within the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area, with their contact information, services provided, and funding and insurance information. Note: laws may vary between different states, i.e. DC and Maryland do not require parental consent and do not have restrictions based on pregnancy duration. Abortions are unrestricted in Virginia up to 26 weeks and 6 days.. 

Washington DC

Maryland

**while there are clinics across the state of Maryland, this document will focus on clinics in the DC suburbs– Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, Maryland

Virginia

**while there are clinics across the state of Virginia, this document will focus on clinics in the DC suburbs, commonly referred to as the Northern Virginia region

4. ABORTION PILLS

Frequently Asked Questions

What are abortion pills and how do they work?

• Abortion pills are also known as a medication abortion. Medication abortions that use the mifepristone and misoprostol regiment are over 91-99% effective at ending pregnancies that are less than 12 weeks along. Abortion pills are FDA approved and used in over 60% of abortions in the US. The process generally involves taking two medicines over a couple of days. 
  • Mifepristone, the first of the two abortion pills, is always taken orally. It stops the pregnancy from growing by blocking the hormone progesterone. 
  • Misoprostol, the second medication, causes the uterine cramping and bleeding to pass the pregnancy and empty the uterus. Depending on how many weeks pregnant you are, you will take anywhere from 4-8 pills of misoprostol within 24 hours of taking your mifepristone. These pills can be taken vaginally, buccally (allowing the pill to dissolve between the cheek and the gum), or sublingually. While abortion pills are commonly used and safe and effective, people can experience some side effects temporarily after taking them such as bleeding, pain and cramping, nausea, headache, tiredness, and mood changes. 

How can I get abortion pills? 

• You can access abortion pills by visiting a clinic in person, or by ordering them online through an online clinic that can mail the pills to your address. 

I don’t live far away from a clinic. Are there particular benefits to ordering pills online?

• Some abortion seekers appreciate that they can complete their abortion in the comfort of their own home and don’t need to visit a clinic. Others find comfort in meeting with a clinician face-to-face and getting the pills that way. 

I live in a state where abortion is illegal. Can I order pills? 

• People who live in states where abortion is banned or heavily restricted successfully order abortion pills online every day, and pills always arrive in discrete packaging. If you have legal questions, reach out to the Repro Legal Helpline for further information. 

Where can I order pills online?

• Plan C Pills has a directory of websites where people can access abortion pills, but Plan C itself does not sell abortion pills. When you visit Plan C, you’ll enter the first day of your last known menstrual period and the state you live in. Some of the most popular sites listed on Plan C include: 
  • Aid Access
  • Abuzz 
  • Forward Midwifery (only available in certain states)
  • Women on Web.
  • You can also reach out to Reprocare at 833-226-7821 for more information about where you can access SMA resources within your community

I am not pregnant but want to have abortion pills on hand. How do I do that?

• Several online providers on Plan C offer abortion pills in advance of a pregnancy. Look for providers that offer advanced provision services. Please note that most advanced provision pills are not eligible for a discount/sliding scale pricing. 

How do I use abortion pills?

1. Take mifepristone with water 

• Pain medication such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or Tylenol, is recommended. 
• Anti-nausea medication can be taken as well if necessary. 

1. Take misoprostol by mouth by allowing the pills to dissolve under the tongue or inside the cheek, or vaginally.

• Misoprostol should be taken 24-48 hours after the mifepristone. 
• Taking misoprostol vaginally may be less likely to cause nausea and can be started sooner- anywhere from 6-48 hours after taking the Mifepristone. 

For additional information, visit the Miscarriage + Abortion Hotline website. Further resources are also linked below:

Self-Managed Abortion with Misoprostol

​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xIAKJ-czbI

Guide to Self-Managed Abortion

https://reproaction.org/campaign/self-managed-abortion/

Fact Sheet about Self-Managed Abortion

https://reproaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/About-SMA-with-pills-Factsheet.pdf

Fact Sheet about Misoprostol for Self-Managed Abortion

​​https://reproaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Misoprostol-Fact-Sheet-2021.pdf

Facts about Mifepristone and Misoprostol for Self-Managed Abortion

https://reproaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/MifepristoneMisoprostolSMAFactSheet.pdf

5. ABORTION FUNDS IN THE DMV

While these funds may not support all the same clinics in the region, they are based in the DMV and work with both local residents and individuals who travel to the region for care at their partner clinics. All of these abortion funds work on a “warmline,” meaning they are open for voicemail requests and will get back to you within 24-48 hours of receiving your voicemail. Please ensure you follow their voicemail instructions to receive a timely response. 

Note: If you do not meet the criteria in the “service area” section, the fund will likely not be able to assist you. 

6. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT RESOURCES

There is no one way to feel after an abortion. You might feel relief, gratitude, grief, anxiety, or potentially all at the same time. Whatever you are experiencing, you deserve non-judgmental support from start to finish. 

7. Practical Support Organizations

People who need to travel for their abortions often need help covering their travel needs as well. Travel support relating to a person’s abortion appointment is commonly referred to as practical support. This can be as simple as coordinating a ride from the airport to the clinic, or as intricate as a full travel agenda for a multi-day stay in the DMV. These organizations might be able to assist you in arranging those needs.

8. LEGAL RESOURCES

Repro Legal Defense Fund

Bails out people prosecuted for receiving abortions

https://reprolegaldefensefund.org/ 

Repro Legal Helpline

Help if you need a judicial bypass, are being denied an emergency abortion, or are facing criminalization for a pregnancy outcome.

https://www.reprolegalhelpline.org/ 

Jane’s Due Process

Helps young people in Texas access abortion

https://janesdueprocess.org/

Abortion Access Legal Defense Fund

Helps people pay for certain legal expenses they are facing because they are Abortion Patients or Supporters—individuals and entities who sought abortion or helped someone obtain an abortion or information about abortion care.

https://nwlc.org/abortion-access-legal-defense-fund/

If/When/How: Lawyers for Reproductive Justice

Training and volunteer opportunities for lawyers, law students, and advocates to do legal work on reproductive justice

https://ifwhenhow.org/get-involved/

Reproductive Health Legal Assistance Project

Legal assistance for reproductive health clinicians.

https://www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/repro-health-lap

9. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Reproaction

“When we take bold action, including direct action, in service of our mission, our allies grow stronger in their positions, and our opposition becomes weaker. In other words, Reproaction creates a more favorable climate for abortion rights and reproductive justice. See our impact here.

Webinar: How Activists Can Prepare for a Post-Roe World

https://reproaction.org/resource/how-activists-can-prepare-for-a-post-roe-world/

Reclaiming Our Ancient Wisdom: Herbal Abortion Procedure & Practice for Midwives & Herbalists

https://dn720003.ca.archive.org/0/items/reclaiming-our-ancient-wisdom/Reclaiming-Our-Ancient-Wisdom.pdf 

Advocates for Youth: Sexual and Reproductive Health Resources for Young People

https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/ 

AMAZE: Sex Education Website/Resource for Youth, Parents, & Educators

https://amaze.org/ 

Abortion, Everyday by Jessica Valenti

https://jessica.substack.com/ 

Ipas Read to Resist Toolkit

https://www.ipas.org/resist-and-persist/read-to-resist/toolkit/ 

Bedsider

https://www.bedsider.org/

10. DIGITAL SECURITY

Law enforcement has used personal data from phones, computers, and social media to arrest and imprison abortion seekers and those who supported them in getting an abortion. These invasions have ranged from Facebook Messenger, to Google search history, and text messages. Given the lack of privacy protections in the United States and the increasing scrutiny from law enforcement, it is highly recommended that those organizing around reproductive justice take precautions in managing their digital security.  

Overall Guidelines

• Be VERY careful what you put in writing. If possible, try to have any sensitive conversations offline or in a more secure environment. 

• • Use secure messaging systems when possible. The best way to ensure your messages are secure are to use services that invoke an “End to End Encryption” (E2EE). This ensures that only the sender and the intended recipient can read the message, and keeps the contents private, including from the service provider. Common free apps for these include Signal and Whatsapp. 
  • Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when on the internet. VPNs help encrypt your internet traffic and hide your location by masking your IP address. Commercial VPNs can be used for a small monthly fee; while there are free VPNs, they run a higher risk of selling data to third party vendors. 

• Ensure your phone has the biometrics turned off and secured with a password that is not a pincode. This ensures that if it is taken, it is more difficult for law enforcement or other parties to have unauthorized access to your device. 

• Use more private browsers and search engines like DuckDuckGo or Tor when searching for information to avoid storing cookies and browsing history. Additionally, you can quickly close browser windows or tabs if looking up information in an unsafe environment (Ctrl+W or Command+W should close the active tab in most browsers)

• Turn off your location services and, in some cases, your devices when you need to avoid being tracked. Even when powered down, some operating systems will have some functions running in the background that are subject to tracking. If you are attending a more sensitive gathering, turn off your phone or leave it at home.

• Consider creating separate email addresses or phone numbers to use for sending sensitive information. Alternatively, you can use Proton Mail for email and Google Voice for temporary phone numbers
• When creating documents with personally identifiable information (PII) [i.e. contact information, addresses, etc] delete these documents as soon as you are done using them. This includes for Google Drive and for local files. Proton Docs, from the same company as Proton Mail, is a more secure option than Google Docs

Period Trackers

Whenever abortion access is in the national crosshairs, there is also a swell of concern about the safety of period tracking apps. While there is always some degree of risk when you upload your health data to an online application, the focus on period trackers overlooks far more immediate and less flashy threats to an abortion seeker’s safety. 

At the time of writing, period tracker data has not been used to prosecute an abortion seeker in the United States. Facebook messenger, however, played a critical role in helping Nebraska prosecutors convict a teenager for self-managing her abortion with her mother’s assistance. Further reporting revealed that one of the teen’s former friends reported her to the police, who then subpoenaed the teenager’s information from Meta. 

If period tracking applications are helpful for you, consider an app like Euki. Euki was developed by people who work at the intersection of reproductive health and digital security, and it is widely seen as the gold standard of period tracking apps. Users are not required to enter any location data in order to use the app, and any data you share is only stored on your device. If you delete the app, you delete any data that was on there at the time of deletion. If you re-download the app, you lose your old data but are able to start anew.

Resources

To stay up to date about the latest developments in digital privacy, follow the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). They have resources on several facets of digital privacy, including biometrics, cell phone tracking, and facial recognition. They also have lists of digital safety tips for abortion seekers and people supporting abortion access.

• EFF’s privacy page: https://www.eff.org/issues/privacy 
• EFF tips for abortion seekers: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/06/security-and-privacy-tips-people-seeking-abortion 
• EFF tips for abortion access supporters: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/05/digital-security-and-privacy-tips-those-involved-abortion-access 

For more generalized tips on digital security, please also see Activist Checklist: https://activistchecklist.org/ 

11. ABORTION FUNDS OUTSIDE OF DC

Even before the Dobbs decision in 2022, the DC Metro area was a popular abortion care destination for abortion seekers over 24 weeks pregnant. It was the only place east of the Mississippi river where people could get an abortion without requiring the approval of multiple physicians. Today, the region is an even brighter beacon for abortion seekers who come from states where abortion is heavily restricted, if not banned. 

This is a non-exhaustive list of abortion funds from across the country. If this list doesn’t have a fund from your state, visit this website to find a fund that supports abortion seekers in your state.