2022 Public Policy Priorities

CITIZENS FOR CHOICE PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY – 2022

On June 24, 2022, our highest court, the U.S. Supreme Court, abandoned its historic role in protecting constitutional rights – ending the Constitutional right to choose abortion. In Dobbs v. Mississippi, the conservative majority overruled Roe v. Wade, precedent for nearly 50 years. Each state may now decide whether and how to regulate abortion. With no Constitutional limits, 26 states may ban abortion.

However, states like our own are working to strengthen access to safe, legal abortion care. Citizens for Choice is more committed than ever to that goal, and to reproductive health, rights and justice. Faced with the crisis caused by the Court’s gutting of abortion rights, we fully endorse making California a reproductive freedom state, one that is a haven for those seeking abortion care. Here’s how:

CALIFORNIA LAW AND POLICY

• Citizens for Choice supports a state Constitutional amendment that would strengthen and make explicit protections for abortion and contraceptives as fundamental rights. The amendment will be on the California ballot for voter approval in November, 2022.
• Citizens for Choice supports the December, 2021 recommendations of the CA Future of Abortion Council. (See https://www.cafabcouncil.org/.) We support the budget items that incorporate many of those recommendations, providing $200 million to fund them (See https://www.cafabcouncil.org/post/california-future-of-abortion-council-statement-on-passage-of-california-state-budgetCA FAB Council measures would:
  o  Increase the abortion provider workforce and expedite needed licensing
  o  Protect against penalties for obtaining an abortion or providing abortion care or aid
  o  Make abortions more affordable and support community clinics that offer abortion care
  o  Support cost-effective reproductive healthcare through telehealth and doula care
  o  Increase patient privacy protections for abortion care
  o  Address disparities in healthcare access
  o  Increase practical support for ancillary abortion costs
• Citizens for Choice supports other legislation that would:
  o  Expand Medi-Cal coverage post-pregnancy
  o  Address rising STI rates
  o  Increase payment levels for paid family leave