On the Heels of the One-Year Anniversary of the Overturning of Roe v. Wade, More than $25 Million Awarded to Support Access to Abortion Care Across California

One year after the devastating Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, more than $25 million has been awarded to bolster the abortion care safety-net and reduce barriers to obtaining services for eligible in-state and out-of-state patients. California has been identified as a “surge state” and among the top five states where the number of abortions has increased the most since Roe was overturned in June 2022. According to data collected by the #WeCount Project, abortions provided in California increased by an average of more than 473 per month compared with the months before Roe was struck down.

As states across the country implement devastating abortion bans and severe restrictions, California has led the nation in enacting a robust and bold package of policies and investments to protect and expand access to abortion statewide. The state’s fiscal year 2022-2023 budget included $60 million to establish state-funded grant programs designed to increase access to abortion and birth control for uninsured Californians with low-incomes, and others who travel to California to receive essential health care. The California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) is partnering with Essential Access Health to distribute the funds.

“As access to reproductive health care comes under attack across the nation, California remains a beacon of hope,” said Governor Newsom. “We are increasing access to care for women, and making it more affordable for Californians and those forced to travel to receive basic health care.”

“Our partnership with Essential Access Health is vital in helping increase access to reproductive health care in California in the face of harsh restrictions placed on abortion services across the country,” said HCAI Director Elizabeth Landsberg. “Essential Access’ many years of experience working on access to reproductive health care services made them the right choice for administering these funds. These grants support individuals in underserved areas who face barriers in accessing reproductive health and abortion-related services in line with HCAI’s mission to expand equitable access to quality, affordable health care.”

Awards announced today include:

More than $20.6 Million for the Uncompensated Care Grant Program

• Awarded to 12 private and community-based providers
• Services Provided: Uncompensated Care grants cover no-cost abortion and birth control related services to patients under 400% of the federal poverty level who do not have other coverage they can use to obtain care
• The grant program was established with an initial $40 million that may be used through 2028

More than $4.5 Million for the Practical Support Grant Program

• Awarded to 15 non-profit organizations
• Services Provided: Care coordination, patient navigation, direct practical supports that make access to care possible including transportation and lodging
• The grant program was established with an initial $20 million that may be used through 2028

"Over the past year, devastating and harmful abortion bans and restrictions have forced thousands to travel to California to get the essential health care they want and need, often at significant personal expense,” said Amy Moy, Co-CEO of Essential Access Health. "These critical resources will help provide relief and serve as a lifeline for patients with low-incomes living in California and other states, and support their ability to make personal decisions about their health, bodies, and futures.”