Telehealth Abortion Trends and Medication Access in Florida
An abortion pill advocacy group is spreading the messages via floating digital boat advertisements across some of the Tampa Bay area’s most prominent beaches this month. Mayday.Health’s abortion pill boat tour is cruising along two coastal routes in St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach throughout August with a simple message: “MIFEPRISTONE AND MISOPROSTOL” — the two FDA-approved medications used in medication abortion. Tamara Stein, deputy director of Mayday.Health, stated that “in a state like Florida, where abortion access has been significantly restricted, many people still don’t know these options exist.”
Legal Framework and Risks Under Florida Law
However, Florida law forbids the use of telehealth to perform or induce an abortion, with criminal sanctions possible. Regarding medication delivery, abortion medication in Florida must be ordered by a physician and dispensed in person at a clinic or doctor’s office. State statute reads: “Any medications intended for use in a medical abortion must be dispensed in person by a physician and may not be dispensed through the United States Postal Service or by any other courier or shipping service.”
Tallahassee attorney Julie Gallagher said that means the physician and the patient are breaking the law if they either order or receive the pills in the mail. Any person who willfully performs, or actively participates in, a termination of pregnancy commits a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Bree Wallace, director for case management with the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund, stresses that “it’s important that individuals assess their legal risks and utilize trusted helplines to learn more about potential legal risks.”
National Rise in Telehealth and Shield Laws
Both the overall number of abortions and the use of telehealth abortion care continue to increase in the United States, according to the latest #WeCount report. Telehealth made up 20% of all abortion care in the first three months of 2024. Dr. Alison Norris, co-chair of the group, said the use of telehealth has continued to grow, particularly now that states specifically shield those who provide telehealth abortions from legal ramifications if they work with patients from states with abortion restrictions.
Furthermore, a study conducted by #WeCount shows that 13,380 abortions in Florida were provided to pregnant patients under shield laws in 2024. These are legal protections put in place by some states to reduce legal risk for clinicians who offer abortion to states where abortion is prohibited or severely restricted. Telehealth abortions provided by clinicians in states with shield laws averaged 9,200 per month from January to March 2024.
Accessing Abortion Pills Online
Despite local statutes, you can buy an abortion pill online and get it by mail in Florida. Organizations like Aid Access work with U.S. based abortion providers in so called shield law states to provide services. To get abortion pills delivered to your home by mail, the process begins with an online consultation for abortion pills in Florida, where you will be asked some questions about your health and pregnancy to ensure you are eligible.
Summary of Online Abortion Pill Services
- Price: Florida abortion pill online orders costs $150 USD.
- Shipping: Reliable abortion pill shipping to Florida in 1-5 days.
- Tracking: Tracking numbers provided when the pills are mailed.
- Support: Help desk support available in English and Spanish.
- Review: Our medical team will approve your online abortion pill order within 24 hours.
Regional Availability in Florida
Aid Access helps people buy mifepristone and misoprostol throughout the state, including the following cities:
- Jacksonville
- Miami
- Tampa
- Orlando
- Tallahassee
- Fort Lauderdale
- West Palm Beach
- Lakeland
- St. Petersburg
- Hollywood
- Gainesville
- Miramar