Sacramento, Calif. – On March 22, 2022, Senator Lena A. Gonzalez’s (D-Long Beach) SB 245 the Abortion Accessibility Act was signed into law by Governor Newsom. SB 245 will remove cost-barriers to abortion by requiring all state-licensed health care service plans to cover abortion services without a co-payment, deductible, or any type of cost-sharing.
“I am thrilled that SB 245, the Abortion Accessibility Act has been signed into law,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). “Today, we are making sure that abortion is not a right in name only, and that all people have true freedom to decide if, when, and how to start a family, regardless of their income or ability to pay. I am thankful to all our partners who so dedicatedly advocated for SB 245 and who continue to speak up for reproductive freedom in our State. My appreciation also goes out to Governor Gavin Newsom for taking swift action to sign this bill, as well as to my colleagues in the Legislature for their support. ”
“The National Health Law Program is a proud sponsor of SB 245 because we want to ensure that all Californians have access to abortion services and that cost is never a barrier to care,” said Fabiola Carrión, NHeLP’s Director of Reproductive and Sexual Health. “As the Supreme Court is poised to reverse Roe v. Wade in a few months and more than 500 abortion restrictions have been introduced at the state level, California once again steps up as the national beacon of hope on reproductive freedom. Thanks to Senator Gonzalez for introducing this bill, to our legislators for passing it, and to the Governor for his final approval.”
“Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for abortion for people with private insurance is a major step in California’s commitment to being a Reproductive Freedom state — making abortion services more accessible and affordable for all people in California,” said Jodi Hicks, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “SB 245 becoming law means that more Californians will be able to access the care they want, when they want. When it comes to reproductive health care, California’s leaders are once again showing what is possible when you prioritize accessibility, affordability, and equity.”
“By signing SB 245 into law, California has once again demonstrated its commitment to leading the nation as a Reproductive Freedom State. The Abortion Accessibility Act is an important step towards ensuring that everybody can access the care they need when they need it,” said Shannon Olivieri Hovis, Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California. “We applaud Governor Newsom and the legislature for their commitment to reducing barriers that continue to delay and deny access to time-sensitive abortion care, especially when reproductive freedom faces unprecedented threats. NARAL Pro-Choice California is a proud cosponsor of this bill, alongside other reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations.”
“ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE is thrilled that SB 245 has passed and been signed into law by Governor Newsom,” said Jessica Pinckney, Executive Director ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE. “We are immensely grateful to Senator Gonzalez’s office for leading the charge to ensure that cost-sharing is not an impediment to accessing abortion care, a necessary and time sensitive matter for many Californians. With the enactment of this legislation, so many people’s barriers to accessing abortion care will be reduced or eliminated. A necessity in this moment in particular.”
“Abortion care is an essential component of Reproductive Justice, which is only realized when individuals have tangible access to care,” said Onyemma Obiekea, Policy Analyst at Black Women for Wellness Action Project. “Black Women for Wellness Action Project is committed to fighting for a world in which individuals are truly free to determine if, when and how to have a family. In that world, cost is not a barrier to obtaining essential health care, so we are thrilled that The Abortion Accessibility Act has been signed into law. We thank Senator Gonzalez for championing a bold piece of legislation that makes vital health care more equitable in our state. We thank Governor Newsom for his leadership in the fight to ensure that California maintains its status as a reproductive freedom state. We are now a step closer to ensuring that Californians can enjoy the full scope of our reproductive rights!”
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Senator Gonzalez represents the 33rd Senate District, which includes the City of Long Beach and portions of South Los Angeles and Southeast Los Angeles including the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, Signal Hill, and South Gate. Senator Gonzalez lives in Long Beach with her husband Adam and three sons.
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is a 501(c)(4) organization and leads the state-wide public policy and advocacy work on behalf of the seven separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates in California. PPAC is one of 21 state public affairs offices of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
For over 50 years, NARAL Pro-Choice America has fought to protect and advance reproductive freedom at the federal and state levels—including access to abortion care, birth control, pregnancy and post partum care, and paid family leave—for everybody. NARAL is powered by its more than 2.5 million members from every state and congressional district in the country, representing the 8 in 10 Americans who support legal abortion.
ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE removes barriers to sexual and reproductive healthcare and builds the power of Californians to demand health, justice, and dignity.
The National Health Law Program (NHeLP), founded in 1969, protects and advances health rights of low income and underserved individuals and families. NHeLP advocates, educates and litigates at the federal and state levels to advance health and civil rights in the U.S.
The mission of Black Women for Wellness Action Project is to build the electoral and political power of Black women and girls in California through civic engagement, advocacy, leadership development, and the political process. Their work includes advocating for local, state, and federal policies that protect and advance reproductive justice; empowering and engaging activists and community leaders on issues impacting Black women, and electing candidates who will recognize the intersectionality of Black women’s health needs and fight to make sure they are prioritized.
