1. How accessible is abortion in Oklahoma?

Abortion access in Oklahoma is limited. In 2019, the state enacted a law that requires doctors to provide patients with medically inaccurate and biased information about abortion, as well as imposes numerous restrictions on abortion providers. Additionally, the state requires a 72-hour waiting period between an initial consultation and an abortion procedure, and insurance companies are prohibited from covering the cost of the procedure. Due to these restrictions, there are only two abortion clinics currently operating in the state.

2. What is the legal gestational limit for abortion in Oklahoma?

The legal gestational limit for abortion in Oklahoma is 20 weeks.

3. Does Oklahoma require parental involvement for minors seeking an abortion?

Yes, Oklahoma requires parental involvement for minors seeking an abortion. A minor in Oklahoma must receive parental consent or permission from a judge in order to access abortion care.

4. Does Oklahoma mandate waiting periods before an abortion?

Yes, Oklahoma does mandate a 72-hour waiting period before an abortion.

5. Does Oklahoma require the disclosure of any information prior to an abortion?

Yes, Oklahoma does require the disclosure of certain information prior to an abortion. Women must receive state-directed counseling that includes information designed to discourage them from having an abortion, and then wait 24 hours before the procedure is provided. Women must also receive information about the particular medical risks associated with the particular abortion procedure to be employed. They must also receive state-mandated materials which include information about fetal development, risks of abortion and childbirth, and public and private agencies and services available to assist a woman through pregnancy and childbirth.

6. Does Oklahoma provide public funding for abortion services?

No, Oklahoma does not provide public funding for abortion services as of 2019.

7. Are there any exceptions to the gestational limit in Oklahoma?

Yes, there are exceptions to the gestational limit in Oklahoma. Exceptions include when the woman’s life or physical health is in danger or when the fetus has a lethal anomaly or a severe medical condition. In these cases, an abortion can be performed after the gestational limit, although no later than twenty-four (24) weeks from the date of the woman’s last menstrual period.

8. Can a physician or medical facility refuse to provide abortion services in Oklahoma?

Yes, a physician or medical facility can refuse to provide abortion services in Oklahoma. According to the Oklahoma State Legislature, “no person shall be required to participate in any medical procedure relating to the performance of an abortion” (Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 63, § 1-737). This includes doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals who may be asked to provide abortion services.

9. Are there any laws related to medication or surgical abortions in Oklahoma?

Yes. In Oklahoma, it is illegal for physicians to perform an abortion except in cases of medical emergency. There are also certain restrictions on the administration of medication for the purpose of inducing an abortion. The law also requires that any physician who performs or induces an abortion must have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the facility where the abortion is performed.

10. Is informed consent required by providers before performing an abortion in Oklahoma?

Yes. According to Oklahoma law, a healthcare provider must obtain informed consent from the pregnant woman before performing an abortion. The woman must be given information about the abortion, the risks and alternatives, and the probable gestational age of the fetus.

11. Does Oklahoma allow for the provision of telemedicine abortion services?

No, Oklahoma does not allow for the provision of telemedicine abortion services.

12. Are specific medical facilities required to provide abortions in Oklahoma?

No, abortion services are not required to be offered at medical facilities in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Abortion-Safeguards Act states that abortion providers must be licensed by the State Health Department, and must comply with all other safety regulations governing the practice of medicine. However, it does not require any specific medical facilities to provide abortion services.

13. Does Oklahoma have any regulations regarding the provision of post-abortion care?

Yes. In Oklahoma, abortions are subject to certain regulations, including rules regarding post-abortion care. These regulations include requirements that the physician must provide post-abortion care instructions and follow up visits to ensure the patient’s health and safety. Additionally, the physician must provide referrals to a psychiatrist or psychologist if the patient is experiencing any psychological distress due to the abortion. Finally, the physician must ensure that all follow-up care is conducted in a timely manner.

14. Does Oklahoma have any restrictions on abortion protestors near clinics or medical facilities providing abortions?

Yes, Oklahoma does have restrictions on abortion protestors near clinics or medical facilities providing abortions. According to the Oklahoma Legislature, it is unlawful to protest within eight feet of any person who is entering or exiting a health care facility or within thirty-five feet from the entrance or driveway of a health care facility providing reproductive health services. It is also unlawful for individuals to use force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to prevent a person from entering or exiting a health care facility or obstruct the delivery of services in a health care facility.

15. Can health insurance plans cover abortion services in Oklahoma?

No. State law prohibits health insurance plans from covering abortion services in Oklahoma.

16. Are there any requirements for the disposal of fetal tissue after an abortion in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, a physician who performs an abortion must ensure that the remains of the aborted fetus are disposed of in a humane way, such as through cremation, interment, or some other method approved by the State Board of Health. The remains must not be disposed of with medical waste nor must they be released into any sewer or drainage system. The physician must also certify all fetal disposals.

17. How are fetal remains handled after an abortion in Oklahoma?

Under Oklahoma law, fetal remains must be buried or cremated. The woman receiving the abortion may indicate her preference for disposal, which must be honored by the medical provider. The medical provider must arrange for the disposal of the remains and pay all associated costs. The medical provider must also notify the woman of her legal right to determine the final disposition of the fetal remains and provide her with an itemized statement of costs incurred for the burial or cremation.

18. Does Oklahoma recognize gestational and fetal age based on ultrasound measurements?

Yes, Oklahoma recognizes gestational and fetal age based on ultrasound measurements. Ultrasound measurements are considered to be the most accurate form of determining a fetus’s gestational age and are therefore trusted by doctors in the state.

19. Are there any laws related to informed consent for minors seeking an abortion in Oklahoma?

Yes. According to the Oklahoma Statutes, a minor must have the written consent of one parent or legal guardian to obtain an abortion. Minors may also seek judicial bypass in order to obtain an abortion without parental consent.

20. Is there a judicial bypass process to allow minors to obtain an abortion without parental consent in Oklahoma?

Yes, Oklahoma allows minors to seek judicial bypass of the parental consent requirement. In order to obtain a judicial bypass, the minor must appear before a judge and demonstrate that she is mature enough to make her own decision or that an abortion is in her best interests.