FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2022
CONTACT Information Below
California Future of Abortion Council Statement on Passage of California State Budget
$200+ Million in New & Historic Investments for Sexual & Reproductive Health, Including Access to Abortion Care
CALIFORNIA – The California Future of Abortion Council (CA FAB Council) Steering Committee organizations, comprised of ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, Essential Access Health, NARAL Pro-Choice California, National Health Law Program, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, and Training in Early Abortion for Comprehensive Healthcare (TEACH), released the following statement in response to the state budget passing the California Legislature:
“This historic budget marks yet another essential step forward in California's response to the national abortion crisis. The budget includes bold investments that will help expand capacity statewide to meet the abortion and contraceptive care needs of all Californians, and prepare our state to serve the expected influx of patients forced to travel to get time-sensitive services due to abortion bans or severe restrictions in their home state.”
“Thank you to Governor Newsom and legislative leaders for coming to this budget agreement and committing to the most robust and comprehensive investment in the nation to protect and support access to sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion.”
“We look forward to working with the Administration to mobilize resources as soon as possible to support building and enhancing the infrastructure, service delivery, and programs needed to be a ‘safe haven’ for anyone seeking abortion and contraceptive care within our state’s borders. We will continue to work with budget leaders in the coming days and weeks on trailer bill language to ensure California providers and community-based organizations can move quickly to help people access the abortion care they want or need, regardless of where they call home, fulfilling California’s promise of being a true Reproductive Freedom state.”
The $200+ million in historic budget investments to expand access to abortion and sexual and reproductive health care include:
$40 Million for uncompensated care;
$30 Million for equity and infrastructure payments for clinic abortion providers;
$20 Million for reproductive health care services scholarships/loan repayments;
$20 Million for reproductive health center physical and digital Infrastructure and security;
$20 Million for recruitment and retention resources to ensure clinicians and other health workers have access to abortion training;
$20 Million for the California abortion support fund;
$20 Million for Los Angeles County reproductive health pilot program;
$20 Million for premium subsidy payments;
$15 Million for the reproductive justice and freedom fund;
$10 Million for backfilling lost Title X Family Planning Funds;
$8 Million for family planning, access, care and treatment, and HPV vaccine coverage;
$2 Million for a reproductive rights website and research on unmet reproductive health care needs.
Read the letters the California Future of Abortion Council sent to Governor Gavin Newsom concerning the budget here and here.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Brandon Richards, Director of Communications
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California
Elliott Kozuch, Senior Communications Strategist
NARAL Pro-Choice California
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The “California Future of Abortion Council” (CA FAB Council) is comprised of reproductive freedom and sexual and reproductive health care allies, partners, and leaders. The CA FAB Council works in collaboration with policymakers, researchers, advocates, providers, patients, and key constituents to determine potential challenges in the state and recommend solutions that will continue to provide access and stability for both Californians and those who may seek services here from out of state. The CA FAB Council allows for those dedicated to protecting reproductive rights and expanding access to sexual and reproductive health care to come together. Learn more here.