Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Statement on Passage of State Budget

July 13, 2021
Jennifer Wonnacott, VP of Communications and Campaigns
[email protected]

SACRAMENTO -- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) released the following statement from President/CEO Jodi Hicks regarding the California Legislature passing and Governor signing key portions of the 2021-2022 state budget:

“This is a budget that reflects the values of California – one that takes significant steps forward to eliminate inequities in our systems and strive for health equity for all,” said Jodi Hicks, President/CEO of PPAC. “This budget reflects the need and opportunity to address health equity with bold and critical health care investments.”

“COVID-19 has emphasized the need to build upon our current public health care system in a way that addresses the inequities within our institutions and these initial investments reflect a multifaceted approach to addressing health equity,” Hicks continued.

“We thank the legislature and Governor for their commitment to crafting a budget that addresses so many critical health care needs. We thank and congratulate the organizations who worked hard to make these advancements towards health equity in the budget happen. Additionally, we look forward to seeing the final key pieces come together, especially related to telehealth. We know these are important first steps and we won't stop fighting to achieve health equity and racial justice for all Californians.”

On behalf of the seven affiliates throughout the state of California, PPAC looks forward to the passage of the health omnibus budget trailer bill, and in the meantime celebrates the following investments signed by Governor Gavin Newsom:

• Proposition 56. Continues supplemental payments for physicians, women’s health services, family planning and other allocations without suspension dates -- investing tens of millions in Medi-Cal.
• Investment in the Future of Reproductive Rights. $5 million one-time allocation to assist in the establishment of the Institute on Reproductive Health, Law & Policy at the UCLA School of Law.
• Doula Services. Expands Medi-Cal coverage to include services provided by doulas.
• Community Health Workers. Allows community health workers, such as promotores, to provide services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
• Forced or Involuntary Sterilization Reparations. $7.5 million dollars for funding for reparation payments to eligible survivors and other related costs of the Forced Sterilization Compensation Program.
• Transgender Wellness & Equity Fund. $13 million to CDPH for the Transgender Wellness & Equity Fund.
• End the Epidemics. Funding package focused on local public health and HIV, Hepatitis C, and STI prevention.
• Medi-Cal Post-Partum Coverage Expansion. Expands Medi-Cal eligibility to post-partum persons from 60 days after the pregnancy to a total of 12 months of continuous eligibility after the end of the pregnancy.
• Children & Youth Behavioral Health. Invests billions of dollars to create the Youth Behavioral Health Initiative for youth ages 0 to 25, including $205 million for the Mental Health Student Services Act to fund school and county mental health partnerships to support youth as they return to schools.
• Health4All Expansion. Expands Medi-Cal eligibility to all income eligible Californians 50 years and older, regardless of immigration status.
• Public Health & Health Equity Infrastructure. $300 million ongoing investment beginning in 2022-2023 for the public health system to address preventable death and disease, reduce health disparities, and supports the public health workforce.
• Broadband. Historic investments in broadband infrastructure and improved access to broadband services throughout the state like educational resources and telehealth.

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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.