Access to Birth Control Bill Clears First Hurdle Co-Sponsors Thank Assembly Members for Supporting Expanded Access to Hormonal Contraceptives

Statements by Kathy Kneer and Julie Rabinovitz on the passage of AB 2348, the Access to Birth Control bill, out of the Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protection Committee on April 24.  The bill will now move to the Assembly Rules Committee where it must clear before heading to the Assembly Floor.

"We would like to thank committee chair Assembly member Mary Hayashi and Assembly members Fiona Ma, Mike Eng, Betsy Butler, Michael Allen and Jerry Hill for supporting women's access to reproductive health care. In state after state – and daily on the campaign trail -- politicians are pushing to defund family planning programs and restrict women’s access to reproductive health care. Women don't need less access to care, they need more and that's why Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California is a proud co-sponsor AB 2348 which would increases access to birth control for thousands of women in California. We appreciate Assembly member Holly Mitchell's leadership as the bill's author." -- Kathy Kneer, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California

"We are now one step closer to increasing access to high quality preventive and cost-saving women's health care. The committee members that voted to move AB 2348 down the road to becoming California law should be commended for supporting this sound public health solution that will help more women get birth control when they need it - a goal that we should all stand behind." -- Julie Rabinovitz, President and CEO, California Family Health Council

About the Co-Sponsors of AB 2348

California Family Health Council (CFHC) distributes federal Title X family planning funding to nearly 80 health care organizations throughout the state that collectively serve over 1.2 million Californians with sexual and reproductive health care services every year. CFHC also conducts advanced research in reproductive health technologies, leads health education, training and community outreach efforts and advocates to expand access to quality sexual and reproductive health care for all Californians.  http://www.cfhc.org

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is a 501 (c) 4 organization, representing eight separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates throughout California on statewide governmental issues. PPAC is one of 21 state public affairs offices of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of reproductive and preventive health care, family planning and comprehensive sexual health education. http://www.PPactionCA.org

Contact: Ana Sandoval, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, 916.712.6239 or Amy Moy, California Family Health Council, 415.518.4465