ICYMI: San Francisco Highest Ranked City for Reproductive Freedom; Three More California Cities Ranked
November 9, 2021
Brandon Richards, Director of Communications
[email protected]
New Report from National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) – the Local Reproductive Freedom Index – Evaluates the Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Policies of 50 U.S. Cities, San Francisco Earns Highest Rank & Closest to “Model” City
In case you missed it, a new report from the National Institute for Reproductive Health highlights San Francisco and three other California cities for their efforts to advance reproductive health, rights, and justice policies for their residents. The report says, “the 2021 Local Index analyzes how local policy responded to and was impacted by the major events of 2019-2020 – the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, uprisings for racial justice, and attacks upon voting, elections, and the fundamental pillars of democracy.”
The city of San Francisco leads the way nationally obtaining 4.5 out of 5 stars. Specifically, in the focus area of “Protecting Abortion Access,” San Francisco checked 4.5 out of 6 criteria: “clinic safety ordinance,” “regulations on deceptive practices of anti-abortion clinics and providers,” “local protections for abortion clinics and providers,” “public awareness about access to abortion,” and received a half mark for “anti-discrimination ordinance for employees: reproductive health decisions.” Additionally, the city of San Francisco checked all the criteria in the focus areas of “Supporting Young People” and “Building Healthy and Just Communities” while also checking nearly all the criteria in the rest of the focus areas, which included: “Funding and Coverage for Reproductive Health,” “Supporting Families,” and “Proclaiming Local Values.”
The cities of Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego were also highlighted for their efforts to advance reproductive freedom. Read the full report here.
The state must continue to lead the way as access to abortion comes under attack like never before across the country. Policymakers must begin to take action at the local and state level to prepare for more people losing access to reproductive health care, including abortion. This most recent report from the National Institute for Reproductive Health provides a model that cities and champions can follow to continue to increase access and affordability for sexual and reproductive health care.
Right now, Planned Parenthood, along with 30 other organizations and individuals, through the California Future of Abortion Council (CA FAB Council), is researching and drafting policy recommendations that aim to build on California’s status as a Reproductive Freedom state and will best prepare California -- and health centers across the state -- for a potential increase in patients seeking abortion or other sexual and reproductive health care within California. Read more about the CA FAB Council here.
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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.