Abortion Advocates Denounce Harmful Cuts to Abortion Access in Governor’s May Revise

The California Future of Abortion (FAB) Council leaders released the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s harmful proposed budget cuts:

“It is outrageous that at a time when California is already reeling from federal funding cuts impacting sexual and reproductive health care, Governor Newsom proposes to slash critical abortion and family planning investments that will devastate the reproductive health care safety-net and severely reduce access to time-sensitive care.  

The reproductive health divestments, as well as the cuts targeting the Medi-Cal expansion for undocumented adults, callously places the burden of balancing the state’s budget on Californians living at the margins. Millions will lose health coverage and negative public health outcomes will significantly increase if the proposed cuts are implemented. 

The budget proposal also excludes maintaining key abortion access programs and infrastructure that will be eliminated without action. The FAB Council is proud of the progress the state has made over the past four years, in partnership with the Governor and the Legislature, to protect and expand access to abortion care. However, the Governor’s proposed budget fails to uphold California’s commitment as a Reproductive Freedom State and threatens to reverse the gains we’ve collectively achieved.

The Governor's budget revision not only threatens the economic stability of community-based organizations, health care clinics and independent providers providing essential abortion and reproductive health services for all patients, but also abandons the vision of California boldly embraced in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Reproductive freedom is meaningless without access – and access requires investment. 

California cannot afford to turn back now. 

We strongly urge the Legislature to reject these proposed cuts and look forward to working with the Legislature and the Governor to continue investments in abortion access to protect reproductive freedom in California and mitigate the harmful impacts of the federal government’s ongoing attacks on abortion access. 

The “California Future of Abortion Council” (CA FAB Council) is a project of the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (CCRF) and is comprised of reproductive freedom and sexual and reproductive health care allies, partners, and leaders. Steering Committee organizations include: Access Reproductive Justice, ACLU of Southern California, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, Essential Access Health, National Health Law Program (NHeLP), Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, Reproductive Freedom for All California, and TEACH-Training in Early Abortion for Comprehension Healthcare. The CA FAB Council works in collaboration with policy makers, researchers, advocates, providers, patients, and key constituents to determine potential challenges in the state and recommend solutions that will continue to provide access and stability for both Californians and those who may seek services here from out of state.