Access to reproductive care and abortion services.
The bill asserts that women and pregnant individuals should not face criminalization for accessing reproductive healthcare or experiencing pregnancy loss. It underscores California's historical role in supporting reproductive rights and ensuring healthcare funding through programs like Medi-Cal for low-income individuals. ACR110 aims to counteract restrictive laws in other states that pose threats to women's health and autonomy. By enshrining these rights in legislative language, California aims to protect against any erosion of reproductive freedoms.
ACR110, introduced by Assembly Members Wicks, Bauer-Kahan, and Limón, seeks to affirm California's commitment to reproductive rights by declaring the state a 'Reproductive Freedom State for All.' The resolution emphasizes the importance of guaranteeing the constitutional right to abortion and highlights the need for access to comprehensive reproductive care, including prenatal and postnatal services. The bill draws on the precedent set by Roe v. Wade and asserts that women's ability to make reproductive choices is foundational to personal and family health.
The resolution emerges in the context of increasing legislative actions across the nation aimed at restricting access to abortion and reproductive healthcare, which many advocates argue disproportionately impacts low-income and women of color. Opponents of such laws highlight the risks of criminalization for both patients and healthcare providers, arguing that these measures can lead to dire public health consequences. ACR110 stands as a response to this national trend, framing California's approach as inclusive and protective of reproductive freedoms.