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Governor Newsom’s Proposed 2022-2023 Budget

At the beginning of January 2022, Governor Newsom unveiled his proposed 2022-23 budget. The budget includes an estimated surplus of $45.7B, $20.6B of which is discretionary and includes several proposals requested by Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) and the California Future of Abortion Council (CA FAB). The budget put forth by Governor Newsom is another step toward leading the nation in prioritizing sexual and reproductive health care, including access to abortion.

Many investments in this budget are a clear response to the work of the CA FAB Council, which you can read more about below. The investments included for workforce, IT and security infrastructure, and subsidies for premiums for abortion coverage in Covered California, along with the Administration’s commitment to working with the legislature to address barriers to care, are critical to California protecting and expanding access to abortion. 

Planned Parenthood Action Fund looks forward to continuing our work with Governor Newsom and legislative leaders to increase access to and affordability of abortion care and to ensure California continues to build upon its status as a ‘Reproductive Freedom state’ amid extreme and dangerous restrictions being implemented around the country.

S.B. 245 - The Abortion Accessibility Act

Abortion services, like many health care services, can be out of reach for many people due to the cost, expensive co-payments, high deductibles, and many other factors. This can make it very difficult for some people to access the care they need. 

In order to ensure cost is no longer a barrier, the Abortion Accessibility Act would not only remove cost-sharing from an individual’s health plan but would also apply cost-sharing protections to a health plan enrollee’s covered spouse and dependents, and to Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

The bill, introduced by Senator Lena Gonzalez, passed on the Assembly Floor with a 46-18 vote on March 17, 2022. The bill now goes back to the Senate for a concurrence vote and then will head to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.. We will keep you updated as the bill continues to work its way through the legislative process

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Poll 

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) recently released a new poll that was conducted just after the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The poll found that voters in California are paying very close attention to the potential loss of the constitutional right to abortion and feel strongly that the right to an abortion should be legal and accessible to anyone who needs it. 

Key findings from the poll include:

  • Over three-quarters of surge voters – and 62% of all likely voters – say they prefer a candidate who will support expanding reproductive freedom and legal access to abortion, over someone who supports significant restrictions on abortion access.
  • About three-quarters of surge voters – and 60% of all likely voters – say they are much more likely to support a candidate for office who supports new protections safeguarding the right to an abortion and expanding access.
    • Only 9% say they would prefer a candidate who opposes access to abortion and wants to restrict access.
  • A majority of the surge voters, a group critical to Democratic majorities in 2022, say they are more likely to vote in 2022 because of the attacks on abortion access in states outside of California.

The findings from the poll make the message from voters is clear: likely voters and surge voters in California do not want to see Roe v Wade overturned and will support elected officials who fight to protect abortion access in California and expand reproductive freedom nationwide.

California Future of Abortion Council

ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, NARAL Pro-Choice California, National Health Law Program (NHeLP), and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, along with Governor Newsom, some members of the California legislature, and other members of the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, created a team of advocates and experts to reinforce California’s critical role in offering sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow Texas’ S.B. 8 to go into effect.

In December 2021, the California Future of Abortion Council (CA FAB), compiled a report of 45 recommendations that will serve as a blueprint for California policymakers to use as threats to abortion rights and access increase. The Council also submitted a budget letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, listing the fiscal priorities detailed by the CA FAB Council last month. 

In early January 2022, the Council published a categorical checklist that outlined the recommendations proposed in the report. This checklist serves as both a guide and a measure of completion as bills are introduced and budget proposals are put forward.

The checklist breaks down the CA FAB Council’s 45 recommendations by type of action:

  • Budget: Calling for increased funding to support the provision of abortion in California and to support the organizations that provide services, including practical support and training.
  • Administrative: Calling on California agencies and the Newsom Administration to make permanent changes to improve the provision of abortion and amend policies that hinder care.
  • Legislative: Making statutory changes to improve access to abortion care, support abortion providers, and address gaps in the health care system.
  • Research: Improving long-term abortion access in California through research, assessment, and publication of reports related to the status of California’s sexual and reproductive health care ecosystem (or infrastructure). We call on California policymakers to support the necessary research to inform improved, equitable access to care.

Endorsements

Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest (PPAFPSW) announced its full list of endorsements for various 2022 primary elections in California. PPAFPSW rates and endorses candidates for public office who will champion reproductive rights, access to sexual and reproductive health care, and comprehensive sexual education. 

All candidates go through a rigorous endorsement process and must meet specific criteria to be considered for an endorsement or 100% rating from Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest. To be considered for endorsement by PPAFPSW, an incumbent, challenger, appointee, or candidate must support positions in line with PPAFPSW's mission and values; achieve a 100 percent score on candidate questionnaires and legislative scorecards, as applicable; and be a viable candidate. Candidates are also asked about their stances on a variety of intersecting issues such as transgender and LGBTQ+ rights, policing, immigration, combating white supremacy, and more. 

For more information about PPAFPSW’s endorsements for the June 2022 Primary Election, check out our voter guide here

California Program to Compensate Survivors of State-Sponsored Sterilization

In December 2021, Governor Newsom launched California’s new program to compensate survivors of state-sponsored sterilization, created as part of the 2021-22 state budget.

In California, state eugenics laws were in effect from 1909 through 1979. Thousands of people, most of whom were Black, Latinx, Indigenous, incarcerated, or in state institutions for disabilities, were forcibly sterilized or coerced into sterilization. Although these were supposed to have stopped in 1979, it was later discovered that forced sterilizations continued to occur at state prisons and other correctional facilities.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, survivors of state-sponsored sterilization can apply for compensation through California’s Forced or Involuntary Sterilization Compensation Program. California is providing $4.5 million to be split evenly among all eligible individuals who apply, in addition to $2 million for administration and outreach for the program and $1 million to establish markers or plaques at designated sites that acknowledge the wrongful sterilization of thousands of vulnerable people. It is estimated that at least 600 survivors of forced sterilization are still alive today and eligible for compensation.

Survivors are encouraged to visit victims.ca.gov/fiscp or reach out to CalVCB at 800-777-9229 or [email protected] to obtain an application. They can also send a letter to P.O. Box 591, Sacramento, CA 95812-0591. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2023. Applying is completely confidential.

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