The governor of California, Gavin Newsomannounced the launch of abortion.ca.govThe site provides people in and outside California with legal information about abortions, their legal rights and where to find providers, how to pay for services, financial assistance and emotional support, among others.
"Abortion is legal, safe and accessible in California; whether you live here or not, we support you. As Republican states reverse fundamental civil rights, and try to prevent people from accessing information online or crossing state lines for care, know that you are welcome in California and we will continue to fight for you," said Newsom.
Abortion.ca.gov is available in Spanish and will be translated into several languages. The website also includes an interactive "Find a Provider" tool for users to search for health care providers throughout California, as well as out-of-state information about the legal right to an abortion and how to travel to obtain services.
"In California, we have made it clear that we trust women and respect every woman's right to make decisions about her reproductive health and her future," said the governor's wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
"We know that when these rights are taken, it can have serious consequences on women's health, safety, economic security and ability to live and thrive. So, while other states seek to limit and completely strip their residents of these basic rights, we are taking real steps to make it easier for those here, and out of state, to access care," she added.
Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced), commented that "people seeking abortion and related reproductive care are in a vulnerable place because of the barriers they face, such as lack of transportation, housing, wage support, or sick leave and child care. For those outside of California, these barriers increase exponentially. With the continued attack on abortion rights in many other states, initiatives to increase protections are needed now more than ever."
"This new website is a critical resource that provides essential information to patients in and outside of California and, hopefully, can serve as a model for the rest of the nation," said Jodi Hicks, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates California.
"No person should be forced to travel outside of their home state for essential medical care, including abortion care, yet extremist politicians are making that a reality for millions of people across the country. This new website will increase access to accurate information and is critical for people to seek the care they want."
Notably, California has worked to protect access to reproductive health care services and strengthen abortion protections:
Within hours of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down Roe v. Wade legislation, California's governor signed legislation to help protect patients and providers in the state from civil liability for providing, assisting or receiving abortion services.
In addition, the states of Oregon and Washington launched a new multi-state commitment to defend access to reproductive health care and protect patients and providers.
While this year's state budget includes more than $200 million in additional funding for reproductive health services.
The state also signed an executive order preventing state agencies from sharing medical records, patient data and other information in response to inquiries or investigations filed by other states seeking to restrict access to abortion, and announced a policy of refusing to extradite any person in California sought by another state for legal abortion services provided in California.
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