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For people with low incomes seeking abortion services, expensive co-payments or sky-high deductibles create huge health care inequities that make it impossible for them to get 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.

California State Sen. Lena Gonzalez's Abortion Accessibility Act would get people the care they need.

We’re calling for real #AbortionAccessNow with SB 245.

Overview:  From Politico, Jan. 21, 2021: 

Sen. Lena Gonzalez on Friday introduced legislation that would eliminate all out‐of‐pocket costs for abortion procedures covered by state‐regulated and commercial health plans.

The Abortion Accessibility Act, Senate Bill 245, “will require all state licensed health care service plans or disability insurance policies to cover abortion services without a co‐payment, deductible or any type of cost sharing require so that no one in California is left behind as it pertains to abortion care,” Gonzalez (D‐Long Beach) said Friday during a press briefing organized by Planned Parenthood’s California affiliates.

The background: Gonzalez’s bill mirrors legislation introduced by Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager (D‐Los Angeles), CA AB1973 (19R), which failed to advance last year in a shortened legislative session during the Covid‐19 pandemic. Gonzalez said the pandemic makes the bill even more important because it has exposed many health care inequities that have impeded access, particularly to those who are low income and people of color.

Jodi Hicks, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said the bill would put abortion on par with the state’s pregnancy‐related laws on coverage. “We eliminated co‐payments for pregnancy related services, of which this would be one of,” Hicks said.

Abortion copayments typically range from $300 to $500, Hicks said. If people need time to gather those funds, that could delay services and require them to obtain costlier care, she said. 

– Victoria Colliver, Politico  Jan. 21, 2021

Share why you support #AbortionAccessNow on social media. 

  • Tag your legislator and ask them to vote Yes on SB 245.
  • Need help? Here’s a sample social media post: 

It's about equity.
Whether someone has private or government‐funded health insurance, each of us should have full coverage for the range of pregnancy‐related care, including abortion. We're calling for #AbortionAccessNow and supporting @SenGonzalez_33's Abortion Accessibility Act. #YesOnSB245

Tags: Medi-Cal, Private_Insurance

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