Golden State Today

On June 5, 2024, the U.S. Senate Republicans blocked the Right to Contraception Act, a bill aimed at establishing federal protection for the use and legal distribution of contraception. This action coincided with the anniversary of Griswold v. Connecticut, a landmark Supreme Court decision that protected the right to use contraception.

Governor Gavin Newsom addressed Californians, reaffirming their rights to birth control within the state and emphasizing his commitment to reproductive rights. "Republicans in the U.S. Senate just killed a bill that would have protected access to birth control across the country," Newsom stated. He added, "While the GOP tries to take us back to a pre-1960s world, California is proud to provide comprehensive protections for contraceptives as well as reproductive health care."

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom expressed her frustration: “It is endlessly infuriating to witness—over half a century after the right to contraception was established in our highest court—GOP legislators attempt to control and restrict women’s bodies and voices.”

California law currently ensures coverage of contraceptives through state-regulated health plans and insurance. The Contraceptive Equity Act mandates health plans cover certain over-the-counter birth control without cost-sharing or prescriptions and prohibits employment-related discrimination based on reproductive health decisions.

The California Reproductive Health Equity Program requires health plans to inform employees of religious employers about available abortion or contraception services at no cost. The program also offers grants for uncompensated care for low-income patients.

California has proposed a new Medicaid demonstration project under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act to bolster its reproductive health provider safety net. If approved, this initiative will provide grants to enhance capacity and access to sexual and reproductive health services for Medi-Cal enrollees and others facing access barriers.

Governor Newsom has also urged U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to ensure all forms of contraception remain affordable and accessible.

California's commitment extends further through measures such as Proposition 1, which incorporated explicit protections for reproductive freedom into the state constitution following voter approval in November 2022.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade nearly two years ago, Governor Newsom has worked with the California Legislature to position California as a national leader in reproductive freedom while extending these efforts nationwide via the 23-governor Reproductive Freedom Alliance.

More information about California's initiatives on reproductive health care can be found at Abortion.CA.Gov.