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New California Law Waives Many Abortion Fees
A Planned Parenthood center in St. Louis.
(
Michael Thomas
/
Getty Images
)
A new state law will remove many fees on abortion procedures.
SB 245, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this week, prohibits health insurers licensed in California from collecting co-payments, deductibles, or other similar charges for any abortion-related services.
The law also applies to insured patients who are not California residents.
The bill's author, State Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), said as Oklahoma, Texas and other states seek to restrict abortions, she expects many people will come to California for the procedure, especially if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe V. Wade.
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California could become "a reproductive freedom state," she said, "truly providing a sort of a refuge for pregnant people across the country."
If California sees a massive influx of people from out of state seeking abortion services, Gonzalez said she plans to seek federal funding to expand capacity in the state's health care system.
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