California will help women living in states in the US that prohibit abortion to perform the procedure on its territory; the state will spend up to 20 million dollars to finance the trip to the clinic for those women. This was announced last night by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Until now, Newsom has limited the aid to only travel within California, arguing that “we have to be realistic about what we can absorb.” This decision surprised abortion advocates, since Newsom, a Democrat, had pledged to make California a haven for women from other states seeking abortions.
After weeks of attempts at persuasion by abortion supporters, Newsom revealed this weekend – a few days before the California legislature goes into recess – an amendment to the budget law, which will allow the state to also finance travel by women who live outside of California, for the purpose of having an abortion in the state. The vote on the amendment is expected next week.
Newsom’s spokesman said that “California is doing its part, but we can’t do everything – private donations and philanthropy are critical to our efforts. We need to increase support for women whose states have denied their freedom of choice.”
While some states in the US are working to limit the possibility of having an abortion, or even ban it altogether, other states are working to help women travel to their territory to have the procedure.
In the state of Oregon, for example, which is next to Idaho where a ban on abortion is expected, it was agreed to spend 15 million dollars to help women who wish to perform the procedure.