California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a proposal to allow Arizona doctors to provide abortions to their patients in California, in response to Arizona's near-total ban on abortions set to take effect in June. The proposal would only apply to doctors licensed in good standing in Arizona and their patients, and would be in effect until the end of November.
Newsom emphasized the importance of protecting access to abortions, calling it a matter of basic decency and respect for women and girls. The California Legislative Women's Caucus and advocates supported the proposal, denouncing Arizona's law as draconian and stating that California had a responsibility to intervene.
The bill would need a two-thirds vote in each house of the Legislature before reaching Newsom's desk for approval. Once signed, it would go into effect immediately. Dr. Tanya Spirtos, President of the California Medical Association, expressed pride in California's efforts to assist Arizona abortion patients, highlighting the importance of personal medical decisions being made by patients in consultation with their healthcare providers.
Arizona's near-total abortion ban was cleared by the state's Supreme Court, making it one of fifteen states with such restrictions. Newsom, known for his defense of abortion access, has made it a priority to safeguard this right in California. He has allocated funds to support women from other states seeking abortions in California and signed laws to protect women from investigations by other states.
Newsom's advocacy for abortion access has extended beyond California, with initiatives such as launching a website promoting the state's abortion services and funding a political action committee to criticize anti-abortion measures in other states. His efforts have drawn attention to the broader national debate on reproductive rights.
While Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs' office declined to comment on the California bill, Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma criticized Newsom for focusing on out-of-state issues. Despite differing views, Newsom's commitment to defending abortion access remains steadfast, reflecting his broader political agenda and potential future aspirations.
