State funding to safeguard and expand abortion access coming to LA County

Request for proposals for the LA County Abortion Safe Haven pilot program released in advance of the 50th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision

LOS ANGELES—A Request for Proposals (RFP) has been released to protect, expand and improve patient access to abortion information and services in Los Angeles County. The RFP was developed in partnership with County representatives, local providers, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders.

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade and other states enacting dangerous abortion bans and severe restrictions, Governor Newsom and legislative leaders took swift action to build on California’s long standing history as a national leader in protecting and expanding access to essential and comprehensive health services.

A robust bill package was enacted and $200 million was invested in the state budget to increase the state’s abortion capacity and infrastructure, and bolster protections for providers and patients in a post-Roe environment.

Recognizing that California and Los Angeles County in particular, will see an increase in need for abortion services from patients denied care in their home states, Senate Bill 1245 (Kamlager-Dove) established the Los Angeles County Abortion Access Safe Haven Pilot Program.

The 2022-2023 state budget appropriated $20,000,000 to the County of Los Angeles to fund the program.

Essential Access Health (Essential Access), a Los Angeles-based nonprofit with over 50 years-experience distributing public funding to support the delivery of sexual and reproductive health care, was selected by the County to serve as the Program Administrator to distribute program funding and ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

Entities that serve individuals and communities in Los Angeles can apply for funding to support expansion of clinical services, provider training, community education, infrastructure and security enhancements, and other activities to improve access to abortion care and accurate, unbiased information County-wide. Applications are due Feb. 20.

State and County leaders, along with Essential Access released the following statements:

“As an OBGYN, I am committed to helping ensure Californians can protect their reproductive health across their lifespan,” said California Surgeon General, Dr. Diana Ramos.

“While many grapple to understand the full impacts of a post-Roe society, people can feel reassured knowing that California is taking bold steps forward to protect reproductive rights and enhance access to reproductive health services for individuals all over the country.”