A bill introduced in the California legislature seeks to allow abortion providers in Arizona to quickly obtain temporary medical licenses to practice in California. The proposal comes in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling in Arizona, which criminalized nearly all abortions in the state. California lawmakers, led by the Legislative Women’s Caucus and Gov. Gavin Newsom, introduced the bill to support Arizona doctors and patients facing restrictive abortion laws. Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, which operates clinics along the Arizona border, has already seen an influx of patients from out of state, and that number is expected to rise with the new law.
The California bill comes as Arizona lawmakers voted to repeal the restrictive abortion ban, but the measure still awaits a vote from the state Senate. Gov. Newsom and the Legislative Women’s Caucus hope to expedite the passage of the bill before Arizona’s abortion restrictions go into effect on June 8. They aim to support Arizonans seeking abortion care in California until they have the opportunity to reverse the restrictions through a constitutional amendment in November. The bill would remain in effect in California through November to assist individuals from Arizona seeking to exercise their rights.
The introduction of the bill in California is seen as a temporary solution to support individuals impacted by restrictive abortion laws following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court. With states across the country implementing varying levels of abortion restrictions, California aims to be a refuge state for individuals seeking abortion care. Dr. Tanya Spirtos, a gynecologist and president of the California Medical Association, emphasized the importance of ensuring accessibility to healthcare services within one’s own state. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California also stressed the importance of eliminating the need for individuals to travel outside their home state for essential healthcare services.
California has seen a significant increase in the number of abortions performed since the fall of Roe v. Wade, with many visitors to the state’s abortion resource website coming from out of state. While the bill introduced in California aims to provide support to individuals impacted by restrictive abortion laws, advocates emphasize that long-term solutions are needed to ensure access to abortion care for all individuals. The bill is part of a broader effort to address the patchwork of abortion access laws across the country and uphold the right to reproductive healthcare. Gov. Newsom’s office and advocates for the bill continue to work towards protecting abortion rights and supporting individuals who may be impacted by restrictive laws.
