Arizona doctors will be able to temporarily move to California to perform abortions on their patients, under a new law signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The California law was a response to the Arizona Supreme Court ruling last month, which upheld an 1864 law that bans nearly all abortions in that state. The Arizona Congress responded by repealing the law this month, but the measure will not take effect for a few months.
The California law was a response to the Arizona Supreme Court ruling last month, which upheld an 1864 law that bans nearly all abortions in that state. The Arizona Congress responded by repealing the law this month, but the measure will not take effect for a few months.
In the meantime, Arizona doctors and their patients will be able to travel to California to perform the procedure.
“I am grateful to the California Legislative Women's Caucus and all of our partners for acting quickly to provide this support,” Newsom said. “California stands ready to protect reproductive freedom.”
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2020, more than 20 states have begun implementing abortion restrictions to varying degrees.
California has done the opposite, and Newsom has promised to turn the state into a sanctuary for people from other states seeking abortions. California has passed dozens of laws to protect access to abortion, including allocating $20 million of taxpayer money to help pay for out-of-state patients who travel to California for abortions.
More: Nikki Haley announces that she will vote for Trump in the presidential election and calls on him to win over voters who supported her during the primaries
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2020, more than 20 states have begun implementing abortion restrictions to varying degrees.
California has done the opposite, and Newsom has promised to turn the state into a sanctuary for people from other states seeking abortions. California has passed dozens of laws to protect access to abortion, including allocating $20 million of taxpayer money to help pay for out-of-state patients who travel to California for abortions.
More: Nikki Haley announces that she will vote for Trump in the presidential election and calls on him to win over voters who supported her during the primaries
Newsom and his Democratic allies in the state Congress worked quickly to pass this law. But some Republicans questioned its necessity. Last year, Arizona's Democratic governor, Katie Hobbs, signed an executive order prohibiting local prosecutors from pursuing abortion-related charges.
Still, California congressional Democrats felt the law was necessary. State Sen. Nancy Skinner, the bill's author, said a law was stronger than a governor's executive order.
Still, California congressional Democrats felt the law was necessary. State Sen. Nancy Skinner, the bill's author, said a law was stronger than a governor's executive order.
“Once again, California has made it very clear to everyone who needs or provides essential reproductive care: You have us,” Skinner said.
California law states that Arizona doctors licensed in that state can come to California to perform abortions until November 30.
The Newsom administration said the California law is “a critical stopgap solution for Arizona patients and providers.”
Physicians licensed in Arizona would have to apply to the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California. The law requires California authorities to approve such requests within five days.
The law stipulates that doctors in Arizona would have to inform the state of California where they plan to perform abortions in the state. But the law prohibits California regulators from posting on their website any information about Arizona doctors other than the doctor's name, status and license number.
California law states that Arizona doctors licensed in that state can come to California to perform abortions until November 30.
The Newsom administration said the California law is “a critical stopgap solution for Arizona patients and providers.”
Physicians licensed in Arizona would have to apply to the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California. The law requires California authorities to approve such requests within five days.
The law stipulates that doctors in Arizona would have to inform the state of California where they plan to perform abortions in the state. But the law prohibits California regulators from posting on their website any information about Arizona doctors other than the doctor's name, status and license number.