More proof that some Planned Parenthood affiliates offer abortion pills past FDA-approved limits

Telehealth abortion is growing at the nation’s largest abortion corporation, Planned Parenthood, where abortion pills are often prescribed by virtual visits, later than the FDA has currently approved for them to be used.

Planned Parenthood and the larger abortion industry is utilizing telehealth abortion to maximize profits under the industry’s self-created “no-test” abortion pill protocol. This protocol fails to require in-person visits to properly confirm the gestational age of the baby or to rule out dangerous ectopic pregnancies. And with the onset of mail-order and pharmacy dispensing options, all one needs to do to make money from abortion is to operate a computer and a phone, and utilize a prescription pad.

While the FDA has only approved the abortion pill for use up to 10 weeks (70 days) of pregnancy, Planned Parenthood is now selling the pills much later. Conflicting statements on the corporation’s own website reveal that abortion pills sold as late as 12 weeks could be riskier for women, but that has not thwarted Planned Parenthood.

Abortions by telehealth may not properly diagnose gestational age or other medical factors that might otherwise be observed with in-person care. This lack of care has even led some abortion clients to file lawsuits or make allegations.

When did Planned Parenthood Begin Offering Abortion via Telehealth?

Planned Parenthood rolled out its national telehealth program in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing that Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands would be a national telemedicine hub.

Telehealth abortion expansions were noted in the corporation’s 2019 plan, which stated (emphasis added): “Planned Parenthood will expand services in states where abortion is likely to remain legal and accessible, and invest in technology and other resources to help people living in hostile states access abortion, no matter what. We’ll do this through investing in a Regional Access Network, expanding where we offer telemedicine, and leveraging technology and innovation to help connect people to services.”

Just a few years later, Planned Parenthood’s 2022-23 annual report acknowledged that 49 affiliates had begun to offer “telehealth” services.

According to Planned Parenthood’s president, “In 19 states where abortion is still legal, Planned Parenthood affiliates provide medication abortion via telehealth, allowing people who live far from health centers in those states to get the care they need without taking the time and resources to travel.”

Planned Parenthood’s national website states, “Many Planned Parenthood health centers offer medication abortion, also known as the abortion pill, through telehealth. Contact your local Planned Parenthood health center for more information.”

Planned Parenthood Care, From Anywhere

Affiliates Offering Telehealth Abortion Up to 10 Weeks 

The Virtual Center of Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) claims to offer “The abortion pill… up to 10 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period” for around $450.

“During your appointment, a doctor or nurse will discuss whether getting the pills by mail or picking them up at our health center is the right option for you,” the PPIL website states. It adds, “If you live out of state, you must physically be in the state of Illinois for your visit.”

Mailed abortion pill packaging will be “discrete,” the PPIL website claims, and “The package return address will say the pharmacy name ‘CarePoint’, not ‘Planned Parenthood.'”

PPIL writes separately:

• You must be in the state of Illinois at the time of your telehealth abortion visit and will be asked to confirm this.

• Medications must be shipped to an address within the state of Illinois.

The Virtual Health Center operated by Planned Parenthood of Northern California (PPNCA) offers “The abortion pill… up to 10 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period.”

Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains (CHPPGP) announced the launch of “telehealth medication abortion services in Kansas” in December 2022. The affiliate writes online that clients may “receive medication abortion pills under a qualified physician’s supervision through a Telehealth appointment at any health center in Kansas that is operated by…(CHPPGP).” This means the physician will not be at the facility but the client “receiving medication abortions via telehealth must be physically present in a CHPPGP… center in Kansas at the time of the abortion.” CHPPGP also offers the abortion pill up to 70 days or 10 weeks past the last menstrual period.

Planned Parenthood North Central States claims online that abortion telehealth services are “currently available to patients with a Minnesota address,” and the website of Planned Parenthood Great Plains’ (PPGP) appears to offer telehealth abortion services but is not specific which states they will ship to.

Virginia League for Planned Parenthood (VLPP) offers abortion telehealth services, as does Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM) — however, little is stated on their websites about it.

Affiliates offering Telehealth Abortion Beyond 10-Week FDA Limit 

Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky (PPGNWHIAKINKY) offers the abortion pill via telehealth as long as the client can “[v]erbally confirm that the first day of your last normal menstrual period was 10 weeks ago or less, OR you had an ultrasound showing you are less than 11 weeks pregnant (medical abortion is not for pregnancies past 11 weeks).”

While they claim “medical abortion is not for pregnancies past 11 weeks,” multiple Planned Parenthood facilities offer it that far.

To qualify for telehealth abortion, PPGNWHIAKINKY requires clients to…

• Have a Hawaii or Washington mailing address (where pills will be sent)

• Verbally confirm that [they] are in Hawaiʻi or Washington at the time of [their] telehealth appointment (these are the states we are licensed to provide care)

At Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan D.C. (PPMDC), “Telehealth abortion is offered up to 10 weeks and 4 days,” which is days past the FDA-approved 10-week limit. The affiliate adds, “You must be in DC, Maryland, or Virginia at the time of your telehealth visit, and the medications must be mailed to an address in DC, Maryland, or Virginia.” In addition, “The cost of an at-home abortion pill appointment (telehealth), including the medications and follow up is $578, which is the same cost as the in-person medication abortion appointment.”

The PPMDC affiliate tells clients “The abortion medications are mailed in a discreet package to your address (the package return address will say the pharmacy name ‘American Mail Order Pharmacy [AMOP]’ and not ‘Planned Parenthood’) or you can choose to pick them up in the health center.” Live Action News previously questioned the seedy appearance of AMOP, which operated from the address of a used car dealership.

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) tells prospective abortion clients that they “[m]ust be less than 11 weeks since the start of last period.” Clients must also be in CT or RI for the virtual visit, and have a CT or RI address to which the pills can be mailed.

Telehealth Abortion Up to 11 Weeks

Planned Parenthood isn’t just openly selling the abortion pill past the FDA-approved 10-week limit in their facilities and during telehealth abortion visits — it also sells it via the Planned Parenthood Direct App.

PP DIRECT offers “The abortion pill…to end a pregnancy of up to 11 weeks” in “Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, & Washington” where the pills “will be shipped to you discreetly or sent to your local pharmacy,” the website claims.

Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts also offers the pill by telehealth, writing that “A patient’s LMP needs to be no more than 11 weeks ago at the time of taking mifepristone, the first medication – and therefore no patients will be scheduled if their LMP was more than 10 weeks and 1 day ago to account for shipping times.” The affiliate also requires clients to be “physically in Massachusetts” for the appointment, have a Massachusetts address, and take both drugs in the regimen in the state.

At Planned Parenthood’s Medford Center and Grants Pass facilities in Oregon, Planned Parenthood offers the abortion pill regimen “up to 11 weeks” LMP,  claiming that as long as you are an Oregon resident, you can “privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.”

The Montana Virtual Health Center operated by Planned Parenthood of Montana (PPOM) also offers the abortion pill up to 11 weeks LMP for about $350, and requires both drugs to be taken while in the state.

In 2021, prior to the Dobbs decision, Planned Parenthood Keystone (PPK) in Pennsylvania – where there are abortion restrictions now in place — announced medication abortion via telehealth. Today the affiliate’s Virtual Health Center claims to offer the abortion pill “up to 11 weeks” LMP for $650.  The affiliate claims t0 follow-up with the client “within 5 weeks” to ensure completion of the abortion.

In October of 2023, Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley (PPPSGV) announced telehealth abortion pills. Today PPPSGV offers the regimen up to 11 weeks LMP, calls it “safe and effective,” and says clients must be in California.

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) claims the abortion pill can be used up to 11 weeks, and offers abortion by telehealth with minimal published specifics.

Telehealth Abortion Up to Nearly 12 weeks 

Planned Parenthood of Maryland (PPMD) offers “E-Visit Services” for abortion, linking to the video below for information. PPMD states online that clients must be in the state for the telehealth visit, must be less than 12 weeks since LMP, and must have a Maryland mailing address to get the regimen. The affiliate operates the Maryland Virtual Health Center of PPM and, in the video below, claims the organization will “follow up” to be sure the abortion was successful.

Telehealth for Abortion Pills at Planned Parenthood | Planned Parenthood Video

Planned Parenthood of Michigan operates the Michigan Virtual Health Center, which offers the abortion pill “up to 11 weeks and 5 days” LMP for about $600. The affiliate tells abortion clients “You may have a range of emotions after having an abortion. This is totally normal…”

The Virtual Health Center of Maine, Operated by Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE), claims that “You must be located in Maine to receive virtual care or medications.” Yet, the PPNNE affiliate states online that “Qualifying patients can now get the abortion pill without having to visit a health center or a pharmacy. With a telehealth visit for abortion pills, you’ll have your appointment with one of our trained, licensed clinicians, which may include over secure video. Then you will receive the abortion pills in the mail.” The cost is around $550. PPNNE claims the pill regimen is “safe and effective to use up to 11 weeks of pregnancy or 77 days.” PPNE also notes that telehealth clients must be in ME, NH, or VT.

Despite the fact that some Planned Parenthood affiliates offer abortion pills up to 12 weeks, PPNNE states online that “After 11 weeks, there’s a bigger chance that the abortion pills won’t work and an increased chance of stronger bleeding or cramps.”

Telehealth Abortion Up to 12 weeks

Planned Parenthood Great Rivers (PPGR) offers telehealth abortion “by mail in Illinois. To qualify, patients need to have an Illinois address and be in Illinois at the time of their telehealth appointment,” adding, “A medication abortion with the abortion pill can be done up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.”

They falsely and deceptively tell clients that “the abortion pill works 97 percent of the time.” Yet their own national website is clear that “At 10-11 weeks pregnant, it works about 87% of the time.” Planned Parenthood’s website says little about the effectiveness of the abortion pill at 12 weeks.

“Beginning May 1, pregnant patients up to 10 weeks with an Illinois mailing address can now access the abortion pill with the Planned Parenthood Direct app (‘PPDirect’) from the comfort of their home,” its announcement read.

Knowing that many Planned Parenthood affiliates are now offering the pill well past FDA-approved gestational limits, is it any wonder that Planned Parenthood now claims 70% of its abortion business is from the abortion pill?

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