CITIZENS FOR CHOICE PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY – 2019
The onslaught of policy challenges to reproductive health and justice in recent years has grown to even more dangerous levels in 2019. Challenges come in the form of regulatory changes to federal programs and policies that aim to reduce access to sexual and reproductive healthcare; state laws restricting access to abortion and birth control; and the failure of our highest court, the U.S. Supreme Court, to exercise its historic role in protecting reproductive rights against such challenges.
In the face of such headwinds, Citizens for Choice is committed to maintain its bedrock principles in support of women’s autonomy over their bodies and their rights to reproductive healthcare. That includes access to abortion and family planning services. And we remain committed to ensuring that all of our fellow Americans have access to essential sexual and reproductive healthcare.
EXPANDING MEDICATION ABORTION ACCESS
On the legislative front, a major priority is expanding access to medication abortion services on California campuses (SB 24). The bill would establish a funding mechanism to help ensure that all universities have the full funding and support necessary to begin providing medication abortion and improve family planning options in their on-campus clinics.
PRESERVING TITLE X
On the regulatory front, we are coordinating our actions with our allies at the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom to maintain the highly successful federal family planning program known as Title X. Since 1970, it has provided funding for essential, time-sensitive health care for low-income women, men and teens across our state and throughout the country. California is home to the nation’s largest and most diverse Title X provider network, serving 1,000,000 Californians each year. We oppose recent Title X regulations that threaten abortion and healthcare access, and patient-doctor relationships.
MAKING COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION A REALITY IN CALIFORNIA
On the administrative front, we support the ongoing implementation of the California Healthy Youth Act (enacted in 2015). Making the sex ed law fully effective in our state and our local school districts is a major undertaking. The most recent advance was the adoption by the State Board of Education of a Health Education Framework in May, 2019, to define and set curricula standards.
CONCLUSION
We occasionally ask that our supporters join in our advocacy, by contacting policy makers on specific measures. Thank you to all who take action to help make a difference, advancing reproductive health and rights and the cause of reproductive justice for us all.
Elaine L. Sierra, Esq.
Public Policy Director
