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California governor signs law that makes abortions cheaper

Gavin Newsom
Posted at 12:29 PM, Mar 23, 2022
and last updated 2022-03-23 12:29:49-04

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a new law to make abortions cheaper for people on private insurance plans.

The law Newsom signed Tuesday eliminates things like co-pays and deductibles for abortions.

“With this legislation, we’ll help ensure equitable, affordable access to abortion services so that out-of-pocket costs don’t stand in the way of receiving care," Newsom said.

Newsom's office said out-of-pocket costs for an abortion can "exceed a thousand dollars."

This was the first of more than a dozen bills Democrats plan to pass this year expanding and protecting access to abortion.

California and other Democratic-led states are preparing for a potential U.S. Supreme Court ruling this summer that could overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that banned states from outlawing abortion.

A Washington state law protects people from civil lawsuits while Oregon lawmakers included $15 million in their budget to help people get abortions.