Denver Newsroom, Mar 23, 2022 / 15:25 pm
California will eliminate several costs of abortion procedures under a law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed on Tuesday. The law, which will increase monthly insurance premiums, is among the state’s continuing efforts to expand abortion despite the objections of Catholic leaders and others who oppose the procedure.
“Instead of focusing on how to make abortion services more affordable, the legislature should be working on making the cost-of-living more affordable for mothers and caregivers,” California Catholic Conference executive director Kathleen Domingo said March 18 after the California Assembly passed the bill.
“Where is the equitable push for services for mothers who can’t afford to take their child to the doctor when they are sick or for increased benefits for pregnant mothers to ensure their health and the health of their child?” she asked. “Removing co-pays and using taxpayer money for abortion procedures instead of increasing parental support services tells California’s mothers they are less valuable than those seeking abortions.”
The Democratic-controlled Assembly passed the bill last week by a vote of 46-18 on a party-line vote. The California Catholic Conference thanked those who contacted their legislator to ask them to oppose S.B. 245, called the Abortion Accessibility Act. Newsom signed the bill into law March 22.