Christina Garcia

Congressman Christina GarciaD-Bell Gardens chairs the Legislative Women’s Caucus, which represents and advocates for women, children, and families across California.

Nancy Skinner, Special Contact at CalMatters

State Senator Nancy SkinnerD-Berkeley, is Vice-Chair of the Legislative Council of Women.

In Ohio, a 10-year-old girl had to cross the state line to receive life-saving abortion treatment.

In Texas, doctors who perform abortions can now face life in prison.

Missouri and 11 other states ban abortion, even in cases of rape and incest.

After the June U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, radical and dangerous forced birth policies swept across the country. More than one-third of U.S. women now live in states with strict anti-abortion laws that make access to care impossible and seriously endanger the health and well-being of women and families. I live

We saw this dystopian future coming, and a year ago the signs were clear that the Supreme Court was going to overturn Roe.

More than 40 organizations, including health care providers, reproductive rights and reproductive justice advocates, legal and policy experts, researchers and advocates, will work together with the support of Gov. Gavin Newsom and Congressional leaders and established the California Abortion Future Council. .

The Council launched an initiative to identify barriers to abortion services and recommend policy proposals to ensure equitable and affordable access to abortion care for Californians and all who seek care here. . And a group of women in legislatures (women and state senators) responded with enthusiasm, translating more than a dozen congressional recommendations into 15 bills aimed at helping the state respond to this moment. I’ve changed.

Last month, the state legislature gave final approval to this extensive package of legislation, which is now on Governor Newsom’s desk. With input from longtime reproductive health, rights and justice advocates, this bill expands access to sexual and reproductive health care (including abortion care) here in California, We work together to protect protection.

It also guarantees reliable access to reproductive medicine from other states seeking abortions here as bans in their home countries are becoming more stringent.

Specifically, the bill, authored by members of the Legislative Council’s Women’s Caucuses, addresses barriers to obtaining abortion care in California, including cost and access to important, unbiased information. It also strengthens civil and criminal protections for patients and providers and invests in abortion care providers. We believe these bills recognize grave historical inequalities in health care and protect blacks, indigenous peoples, other people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, rural people, youth, immigrants, and low-income people. We are proud to put the reproductive health needs of people at our center. income.

In this moment of national crisis, California must be a beacon of hope. Hundreds of millions of people, including millions of those of reproductive age, live in states where reactionary politicians are desperate to eliminate bodily autonomy and disenfranchise.

people are scared they are confused. they are desperate And no matter what radical politicians and Supreme Court conservatives say or do, they will continue to need access to abortion care.

We know California can be a safe, welcoming, and positive place to get the care they need. I will make it.

Earlier this summer, Governor Newsom signed several of these bills into law, signing the state’s 2022-23 budget. This budget included his record $200 million to protect and strengthen reproductive health and abortion services in California.

We now ask our governors to sign the remaining bills of the women’s legislative legislature package into law as soon as possible. You can review the billing package here.

The stakes are too high to fail. The time for half-measures is over. We must act now for the people of California and for those seeking refuge in the Golden State.

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Christina Garcia previously wrote environmental justice.