At a time when conservative states are sharply limiting abortion access, California signaled a new frontier in abortion-rights on Friday with the passage of legislation that would require all public universities in the state to provide medication abortion on campus.
The bill, which would use money raised from private donors to equip and train campus health centers, grew out of a student-led movement at the University of California, Berkeley, and it has sparked the introduction of a similar bill in Massachusetts.
Anti-abortion groups say they are likely to challenge the legislation if Gov. Gavin Newsom signs it into law. He has a month to decide. A spokesman declined to say what he will do, but last year during his campaign for governor, Mr. Newsom said he supported a similar effort.
The bill would apply to 34 campuses throughout the state, with nearly 750,000 enrolled students — 11 under the umbrella of the University of California and 23 under the California State University system. A 2018 study estimated that hundreds of students at these schools seek medication abortion each month.
freew1ll_ on September 15th, 2019 at 00:35 UTC »
It seems that a lot of people misunderstand what's going on here. The universities will not be paying for anyone's abortions, and the don't just hand them out. This law would require public universities to offer abortion pill treatments within their campus healthcare centers so students aren't forced to go to off campus clinics.
The cost of the pills is paid for by the insurers, as is required by California law. This law is just about convenience for women receiving an abortion, so they can more easily get treatment while keeping up with a busy college lifestyle.
wheazer125 on September 14th, 2019 at 23:44 UTC »
I don’t think many of you understand what’s going on. They’re not handing them out like candy. They don’t have them readily available to give out to anyone who asks. They’d be regulated and brought in for those in need. You can’t just walk in and grab one when you’re paranoid about being pregnant. Also, UC’s are give out free/low cost contraception. These would be for emergencies only.
Alpha_Sluttlefish on September 14th, 2019 at 20:02 UTC »
Sounds like it'd be great for women who can afford university. One of my concerns is that it doesn't seem to do much for the underprivileged women who are most affected by restrictive abortion access
Edit: Changed "laws" to "access," since that's more what I intended. Also, wanted to add, we in California do already have it pretty good when it comes to abortion access compared much of the US and many other nations. I focused on those who are still at risk where I live, but there's much bigger fish to fry elsewhere