Low-Income Women's Access to Abortion

California allows women eligible for state medical assistance for general health care to obtain public funds for abortion.  Medical justification or prior authorization for abortion is not required.  Medi-Cal Medical Services Provider Manual,, Part 2, Abortions, 1-8 (Jan. 2005) at http://files.medi-cal.ca.gov/pubsdoco/publications/masters-MTP/Part2/abort_m00o03.doc.

A court held that the California Constitution prohibits the state from excluding abortion services from the state medical assistance program while funding other pregnancy-related services.  Comm. to Defend Reprod. Rights v. Myers, 625 P.2d 779 (Cal. 1981).