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

Abortion is banned after 12 weeks gestational duration (with exceptions to preserve the life or physical health of the pregnant woman, for lethal fetal anomalies, and in 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 2024, 2.3 million women are of reproductive age in North Carolina.

• 12 percent are low income (similar to the national average)
• 17.2 percent are likely eligible for Medicaid because their income is at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level (higher than the national average)
• 45.2 percent are nonwhite (lower than the national average), and Black women are the largest nonwhite group (21.3 percent; higher than the national average)
• 11.5 percent are uninsured (similar to 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 with incomes up to 201 percent of FPL. The state has also extended pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage up to 12 months postpartum. North Carolina does not use 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 2026, 17 clinics provide abortions in North Carolina—up from 15 clinics in 2020. This number excludes hospitals.

Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) are organizations—often operated by anti-abortion, nonmedical, and/or religiously affiliated groups—that aim to deter people from certain reproductive health care services, including abortion and some contraceptive methods. In 2025, there were 99 CPCs in North Carolina. These centers receive state funding.