NARAL urges California governor to expand contraceptive access, sign bill for 12-month birth control

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2016

Bill Will Make Contraception More Accessible for California Women

The nation’s leading pro-choice advocacy group today urged California Governor Jerry Brown to sign a bill to expand access to contraception for women across the state. NARAL Pro-Choice America called on the governor to sign S.B.999, legislation requiring insurance companies to cover up to 12 months of contraception dispensed at once, which research shows increases consistent and correct usage. The proposal builds on the progress made by the the nation’s health care law, which, for the first time requires insurance companies to provide contraception coverage without a copay.

In a letter to Governor Jerry Brown, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue and NARAL Pro-Choice California State Director Amy Everitt highlight how the threat posed by the outbreak of the Zika virus has brought outsized importance to making sure contraception remains easily available.

“As we know, use of contraception is critical to reducing the number of unintended pregnancies,” wrote Ilyse Hogue and Amy Everitt. “This is particularly important given the spread of the Zika virus in the United States and the danger it poses to women and families.”

To read the full letter, click here.

Gov. Jerry Brown has until September 30 to sign or veto this legislation.

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