Sacramento: Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced), released the following statement today after joining Governor Gavin Newsom, the Legislative Women’s Caucus and colleagues to introduce Senate Bill 233, (Senators Nancy Skinner and Cecilia Aguiar-Curry) legislation that protects access to reproductive care and ensures access to those in need.

“Recently, the Arizona Supreme Court upheld an abortion law from the 1860’s, which prohibits all abortions even in cases of rape or incest. Access to safe and legal abortion services are a human right and an integral part of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care and good overall health and well-being.

As a former Arizona resident, I am deeply concerned about the recent Arizona Supreme Court decision and its impact on women. The Arizona abortion ban not only restricts women’s access to reproduction healthcare, but also threatens their health, autonomy and overall well-being.

Marginalized communities, including low-income, people of color and those living in rural communities, will withstand the worst of the consequences. These groups already face significant barriers to healthcare access and the abortion ban will only exacerbate existing disparities, further widening the gap in reproductive rights and healthcare access. 

California must intervene and ensure that all abortion service providers are protected and that women have access to safe and legal abortion services, without state interference.”

Background:

Arizona Law: First passed in 1864 and codified again in 1901 and 1913, says anyone who “provides, supplies, or administers” an abortion or abortion drugs will face a state prison sentence of two to five years unless the abortion is necessary to save the life of the person who is pregnant.

Arizona Supreme Court Ruling: The Arizona Supreme Court upheld this near-total abortion ban, making the procedure illegal in nearly all instances.

Senator Anna M. Caballero represents the 14^th Senate District, composed of majority portions of Merced, Fresno and Madera Counties.

* Senator Anna M. Caballero serves as the Interim Representative for the Salinas Valley and San Benito County until 2024 when a newly elected Senator will assume the district

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