Currently the U.S. Supreme Court appears to be prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade and other states throughout the country are attempting to pass laws to restrict access to reproductive health care and ban abortions.
Consequently, Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a new Reproductive Health Package to expand access to these vital services and welcome companies from anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ states.
“California will not stand idly by as extremists roll back our basic constitutional rights; we’re going to fight like hell, making sure that all women – not just those in California – know that this state continues to recognize and protect their fundamental rights,” said Governor Newsom. “We’re expanding access to these critical services, welcoming businesses and their employees fleeing anti-abortion states, and reaffirming our commitment to continuing to work closely with the Legislature and reproductive rights stakeholders to further solidify California’s leadership on abortion rights.”
Governor Newsom’s provide new investments in reproductive health facilities, remove barriers to services, help cover costs of uninsured patients, and provide incentives for businesses to relocate and bring jobs to California from anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ states.
The Reproductive Health Package will have $125 million in funding that will include the following:
- Cover Uncompensated Care for People Uninsured for Abortion Services
- $40 million for grants to reproductive health care providers to offset the cost of providing care to low- and moderate-income individuals who do not have health care coverage for abortion care services.
- California Reproductive Justice & Freedom Fund
- $15 million for grants to community-based reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations to conduct medically accurate and culturally competent outreach and education on sexual health and reproductive health issues.
- Comprehensive Reproductive Rights Website
- $1 million to develop and maintain a website that provides accurate and updated information to the public on the right to abortion under state law, information about reproductive health care providers, and options for coverage for reproductive health services, including state-funded coverage and programs.
- Research on the Unmet Needs for Reproductive Health Care Services
- $1 million for research regarding the unmet needs for access to reproductive health care services.
- Invest in Reproductive Health Clinical Infrastructure
- To support California’s clinical infrastructure of reproductive health care services, the Blueprint included $20 million to provide scholarships and loan repayments to health care providers that commit to providing reproductive health care services.
- Capital Infrastructure, Improved Security
- The Blueprint included $20 million to assist reproductive health care facilities in securing their physical and information technology infrastructure and to enhance facility security.
- Make Reproductive Health Care More Affordable
- The Blueprint included $20 million to subsidize the cost of abortion care for Covered California consumers due to federal payment limitations for abortion coverage.
- Remove Barriers for Reproductive Health
- To make it easier to get the medical care needed for family planning and reproductive health, the Blueprint removed Medi-Cal requirements for in-person follow-up visits and ultrasounds if not medically necessary.
- Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment (PACT) HPV Vaccine Coverage
- The Blueprint included $8 million to add the human papillomavirus vaccine as a covered benefit under the Family PACT program, effective July 1, 2022.
“In addition to these critical investments, Governor Newsom is further investing in California’s values and growing the state’s inclusive economy by proposing incentive opportunities for businesses to relocate to California or grow jobs and their economic footprint here from states with anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ laws,” the Office of the Governor of California wrote in a press release. “By updating existing business incentive programs to provide additional consideration for companies leaving states that have enacted restrictions on reproductive rights and anti-LGBTQ+ laws, Governor Newsom is welcoming companies that share California’s values and doubling down on the diversity that makes our economy a global leader.”