Last updated on December 19, 2025

North Carolina is characterized as a restrictive state by the Guttmacher Institute.

Abortion is banned after 12 weeks gestational duration (with exceptions for preservation of the mother’s life or physical health, lethal fetal anomalies, and certain cases of rape or incest). North Carolina has a shield law protecting abortion providers from investigations or prosecution by other states. 

In the US, people who are not white and people with low incomes are more likely to experience barriers to reproductive health care access.
 

IN THIS STATE

As of 2023, 2.3 million women¹ are of reproductive age in North Carolina.

• 12.5 percent are low income (similar to the national average)
• 18.0 percent are likely eligible for Medicaid because their income is at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level (similar to the national average)
• 44.6 percent are nonwhite (lower than the national average), and Black people are the largest nonwhite group (21.7 percent; higher than the national average)
• 11.9 percent are uninsured (higher than the national average)
   

North Carolina has expanded Medicaid and thus provides coverage to adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) and pregnant women up to 201 percent of FPL. North Carolina has extended pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage up to 12 months postpartum. North Carolina does not utilize state funds to cover abortion for Medicaid beneficiaries. The state does cover family planning services for people not otherwise eligible for Medicaid with incomes up to 200 percent of FPL.

Accessing Abortion Care

In 2020, 15 clinics provided abortions in North Carolina. In 2025, 18 clinics provided abortions. This number does not include hospitals.