Revolutionizing Telehealth: Boosting Abortion Care Access Amid Policies
TL/DR –
The article asserts abortion is a safe and essential health care service, with over 50% of abortions from 2020 onwards being performed using medication. The authors suggest five actions to expand access to medication abortion via telehealth (TMAB) care: increasing public understanding of its safety and effectiveness, addressing regulatory barriers, improving economics and coverage, training providers, and establishing referral channels and education about TMAB services. This approach is expected to increase individuals’ access to TMAB care where abortion is legal and reduce barriers to care in general.
Understanding Telehealth Medication Abortion Care: A Safe and Essential Health Service
Abortion is a proven safe and vital healthcare service. For over two decades, first trimester abortions have safely been performed using medication like mifepristone and misoprostol. Recent data shows that over 50% of abortions in 2020 were conducted through medication, making it an increasingly preferred method for those pregnant1 2.
Expanding Access to Telehealth Medication Abortion (TMAB) Care
In collaboration with diverse stakeholders including policy experts, reproductive health providers, nonprofits, investors, and telehealth companies, we have identified five key strategies to enhance public access to TMAB care:
- Boost public awareness about the safety and efficacy of TMAB care;
- Tackle regulatory barriers obstructing telehealth and TMAB care;
- Improve financial accessibility and insurance coverage of TMAB care;
- Expand the pool of providers by training them in TMAB care; and
- Develop referral routes and educational initiatives around TMAB services.
These practical and immediate opportunities are geared towards increasing access to TMAB care wherever abortion is legal. While this focus is on TMAB care, many suggested action steps can also decrease barriers to general healthcare, enhancing access to other sensitive services. For an in-depth discussion on these issues and additional actions, the full brief is available here.
1 Source: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
2 Source: Guttmacher Institute.
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