WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Enthusiastic Response to FAB Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 2021

CONTACT

Brandon Richards, Director of Communications

Brandon.Richards@PPACCA.org, 916.233.3758

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Enthusiastic Response to FAB Council, the Statewide Collaboration to Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health Care

Yesterday, ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, NARAL Pro-Choice California, National Health Law Program (NHeLP), and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC), announced the “California Future of Abortion Council” — CA FAB Council. Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate Pro Temp Toni Atkins, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon joined in the announcement as part of Governor Newsom signing a package of bills protecting and expanding access to sexual and reproductive health care. Leaders, organizations, and allies across California continue to respond to this historic announcement:

California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis

“California has long beena leader on Reproductive Freedom, and that leadership is crucial – particularly as out-of-touch and extreme politicians look for find new ways to attack people’s right to accessing abortion or other sexual and reproductive health care. We must continue to build on our progress and tear down barriers, particularly as more people seek care in our state. Planned Parenthood is right to begin these discussions, and I look forward to being an active member in this monumental and important effort.”

California Attorney General Rob Bonta

“In the last few years, we’ve seen reproductive freedom under near-constant attack, as some states pass unconstitutional and harmful bans on abortion. Reproductive care – including the right to choose whether to carry a pregnancy to term – is healthcare, and it is a right that is protected by the U.S. Constitution. For millions of women, this right has already been taken away, but the California Department of Justice will continue to challenge these unconstitutional bans. I look forward to working with the CA FAB Council and allies to identify ways California can continue to lead the opposition to attacks on reproductive rights and essential healthcare, and expand access to these basic freedoms across our state.”

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara

“California has always been a leader in reproductive rights. With the historic rise in attacks on sexual and reproductive health care across the country, California will once again answer the call to knock down barriers to care and expand access—particularly those who will be forced to seek care here in California because of laws restricting reproductive freedom in their states. Thank you to the organizations convening the FAB council, bringing us together to work diligently to pursue policies that advance reproductive freedom and push back against hate.”

Onyemma Obiekea, Policy Analyst, Black Women for Wellness/Action Project

“Black Women for Wellness Action Project is committed to fighting for a world in which individuals are truly free to determine if, when and how to have a family. This means that individuals must be supported with the resources, care and services necessary to do so. Unfortunately our country has a long and shameful history of systematically denying Black women and families the ability to make personal reproductive decisions. Abortion care is an essential component of reproductive justice and we believe that Roe v. Wade is the floor not the ceiling. In the wake of the cruel and pernicious restrictions in states across the country, we are pleased to participate in the California Future of Abortion Council to support our State with maintaining its leadership as a reproductive freedom state and advancing equitable access to abortion care.”

California Medical Association President Peter N. Bretan, MD

The actions taken by Texas lawmakers and the failure of the U.S Supreme Court to protect health care access for women, have put the safety of patients and physicians in jeopardy. California continues to lead the way on protecting and expanding access to health care for all, and we are proud to stand with the members of this coalition and our leadership in Sacramento to ensure all women have access to reproductive health care when they need it.

Daniel Grossman, professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco and director of Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH)

“As Texans are pushed into an abortion care health crisis, it is imperative that California continues to set the example of what evidence-based healthcare looks like. The California Future of Abortion Council will help the state implement the latest research evidence and innovations in reproductive health to ensure that all people have the resources, support, and freedom to achieve reproductive wellbeing.”

Dr. Jody Steinauer, Director, UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health

“Everyone deserves access to safe, timely, compassionate abortion care. In the face of the growing crisis for abortion access in Texas and around the country, we must come together to develop bold, forward-thinking solutions for Californians and everyone who seeks care here. The Bixby Center is eager to lend our expertise in abortion research, training and clinical care to this essential effort.”

Brad Sears, Associate Dean of Public Interest Law, UCLA School of Law

“We thank Governor Newsom for supporting the California Future of Abortion Council and for helping to launch a new center this year at UCLA Law on reproductive health, law and policy. We know that California has a critical role to play in protecting access to abortion across the country. UCLA Law is prepared to develop new legal theories and arguments, conduct cutting edge research to inform this work, and train the next generation of leaders and advocates to protect reproductive rights. As one of the state’s leading public law schools, we are committed to working in partnership with the FAB Council to advance this work."

ABOUT THE CA FAB COUNCIL

The CA FAB Council is composed of reproductive freedom and sexual and reproductive health care allies, partners, and leaders. The CA FAB Council will work in collaboration with researchers, advocates, policy makers, providers, patients, and key constituents to determine potential challenges in the state and recommend solutions that will continue to provide stability and sanctuary for both Californians and those who may seek services here from out of state. Ultimately, the CA FAB Council will create opportunities for those dedicated to advancing rights and expanding access to come together to develop and create a blueprint outlining California’s next steps and determine how expanding access to care could impact services and resources.

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Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the state public policy office representing California’s seven separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of sexual and reproductive health care and sex education.