North Carolina Bans Abortions After 20 Weeks

Last week, a federal judge allowed a ban on abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy to go into effect in North Carolina, lifting an injunction he had placed on the state law prior to the US Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Abortion past 20 weeks in pregnancy is exceptionally rare and happens because of a devastating health emergency or diagnosis. Denying necessary medical care in extreme and threatening situations, even if rare, is fundamentally wrong. NASW opposes government restrictions designed to limit access to reproductive health services, including abortion services.

Depending on the outcome of the 2022 mid-term elections, leadership in the North Carolina General Assembly has indicated that they are interested in passing legislation that would limit or completely ban abortion in 2023. This is just another reason why it's so important for social workers to GET OUT THE VOTE in November and elect pro-choice candidates! NASW-NC PACE Committee endorsements are forthcoming!

What abortion rules, exceptions and requirements currently exist in NC?

• Abortion is legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
• After 20 weeks, North Carolina has a limited exception for medical emergencies. The law does not delineate an exception for rape and incest.
• Parental consent is required for an abortion for anyone under 18.
• Patients must receive state-directed counseling, which requires patients to talk to a doctor or other qualified professional 72 hours before having an abortion, unless there’s a medical emergency, as mandated in the 2015 law mentioned above.
• State and federal laws prevent government insurance from covering abortion except in the case of life endangerment, rape or incest.
• The use of telemedicine to administer medication abortion is prohibited.
• The state requires abortion clinics to undergo yearly inspections to meet standards related to their physical plant, equipment and staffing. It also requires abortion clinics and providers to provide statistical summary reports concerning the medical and demographic characteristics of the abortions provided.
• Physicians, nurses, and other health care providers cannot be forced to perform an abortion if they have a moral, ethical or religious objection.

Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article264660979.html

Learn more about NASW and Reproductive Justice here: https://www.naswnc.org/page/reproductivejustice