Providers in Washington

Washington has excellent abortion services available in the I-5 corridor of Western Washington. Service is sparser in the southern and eastern parts of the state, but there are providers in Yakima and Spokane. Most clinics and private practice doctors will provide abortions up to 12 weeks and often up to 14 weeks. At this time, the only late second trimester providers are in Renton and Olympia. Renton is ten minutes away from SeaTac Airport and 25 minutes south of Seattle. Olympia is halfway between Seattle and Portland, OR.

Public Assistance for Abortion

Washington has state Medicaid funds (called medical coupons) that pay for abortion and family planning services. Income limits are fairly generous—to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Currently, a program called Take Charge, which covers birth control methods, some sexually transmitted infection testing and annual exams/pap smears, is available to eligible Washington state residents.

Other Options for Abortion Funding

The CAIR Project is the only fund that assists women at the clinic of their choice. The other funds are clinic-based and serve their patients only. These funds are:

• The Women in Need Fund at Cedar River Clinic in Renton
• The Women in Need Fund at A Woman's Choice Clinic in Yakima
• The Women in Need Fund at Cascade Family Planning in Lakewood (Tacoma area)
• Planned Parenthood of Western Washington has some funding for women in special circumstances (please speak to a hotline advocate about this.)
• Planned Parenthood of the Inland Northwest (serving Spokane and the 9 counties of northern Idaho) has some money for Washington residents.
• The Women in Need Fund at the Planned Parenthood in Boise, ID may provide some money for Idaho women having their abortions in Washington state
• Abortion Assistance Fund of Oregon and SW Washington assists patients of SW Washington having their abortions at Columbia/Willamette Valley area clinics.

Practical Support

The Abortion Access Network assists women traveling to Seattle for abortion services; volunteers provide rides and housing. The Abortion Access Network is a program of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Foundation. The AAN prefers at least 24 hours prior notice in order to make arrangements. They can be reached at (206) 624-1990.

Abortion Law

• Parental consent/notification and waiting periods are not required in Washington.
• Washington allows abortion to the point of viability, approximately 24 weeks gestation, in order to preserve the life or health of the woman.