Demonstrators rally to demand continued access to abortion during the March for Reproductive Justice, Oct. 2, 2021, in downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, file)
With more than two dozen states poised to ban abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court gives them the okay next year, California clinics and their allies in the state Legislature on Wednesday revealed a plan to make the state a “sanctuary” for those seeking reproductive care, including possibly paying for travel, lodging, and procedures for people from other states.
The California Future of Abortion Council, made up of more than 40 abortion providers and advocacy groups released a list of 45 recommendations for the state to consider if the high court overturns Roe vs. Wade — the 48-year-old decision that forbids states from outlawing abortion.
Some of the state’s most important policymakers helped write recommendations, including Toni Atkins, the San Diego Democrat whom leads the state Senate and attended multiple meetings.
Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom started the group himself and in an interview last week with The Associated Press said some of the report’s details will be included in his budget proposal in January.
“We are looking at ways to support that inevitability and looking at ways to expand our protections.” Newsom said, adding he’s aware patients will likely travel to California from other states to seek abortions.
California already pays for abortions for many low-income residents through the state’s Medicaid program. And California is one of six states that require private insurance companies to cover abortions, although many patients still pay deductibles and co-payments.
But money won’t be a problem for state-funded abortion services for patients from other states. Next year, the state’s independent Legislative Analyst’s Office predicts California will have a surplus of about 31 billion dollars.
California’s affiliates of Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, got a sneak preview of how people might seek abortions outside their home states this year when a Texas law that outlawed abortion after 6 weeks of pregnancy was allowed to take affect. California clinics reported a slight increase in patients from Texas.
The report recommends funding to support patients seeking abortion for travel expenses such as gas, lodging, transportation and childcare. It asks lawmakers to reimburse abortion providers for services to those who can’t afford to pay — including those who travel to California from other states whose low-income status could qualify them for Medicaid if they lived there.
The report asks lawmakers to help clinics increase their workforce to prepare for more patients by giving scholarships to medical students who pledge to offer abortion services in rural areas, help them pay off their student loans and assist with their monthly liability insurance premiums.
“We’re looking at how to build capacity and build workforce,” said Jodi Hicks, CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “It will take a partnership and investment with the state.”
Abortion opponents in California, meanwhile, are also preparing for a potential surge of patients from other states seeking the procedure — only they hope to convince them not to do it.
Jonathan Keller, president and CEO of the California Family Council, said California has about 160 pregnancy resource centers whose aim is to convince woman not to get abortions. He said about half of those centers are medical clinics, while the rest are faith based counseling centers.
Keller said many are already planning on increasing their staffing if California gets an increase of patients.
“Even if we are not facing any immediate legislative opportunities or legislative victories, its a reminder that the work of changing hearts and minds and also providing real support and resources to women facing unplanned pregnancies — that work will always continue,” Keller said.
Mikayla Galaviz
Reporter
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