CA Continues Fight With Other States Over Reproductive Care

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal abortion protections in 2022, California lawmakers moved quickly to make the state a “safe haven” for reproductive health care. But while California has some of the strongest laws ensuring abortion rights, other states’ restrictions can make performing or seeking the procedure from California doctors more complicated.

On Tuesday California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 19 other attorneys general, urged the American Medical Association to do more about protecting prospective OB-GYNs seeking certification. To become board certified, OB-GYN candidates must travel to Dallas, where the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology is headquartered, to complete their in-person certifying exam.

Under Senate Bill 8, Texas has a near-total ban on abortions and penalizes abortion providers. Because of this, the attorneys general argue that the in-person requirements lead some candidates from their states to fear for their legal and physical safety in Texas.

Though California struggles to provide wide access to maternity care, there are over 3,000 OB-GYNs employed in California — the highest number of any state — according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Attorneys’ general testimony to the AMA: “The web of confusing and punitive state-based restrictions creates a legal minefield for medical providers. … Indeed, at least one anti-choice group has publicly announced that it is actively recruiting individuals, including disgruntled ex-boyfriends, to bring cases under SB8’s bounty hunter provision.”

The attorneys general suggest either relocating the testing sites to states where abortion is not restricted; pivoting to remote testing; or granting some exemptions to the in-person exam.

Bonta’s call to the medical association comes as the state Senate is considering a bill that aims to protect California abortion providers beyond state lines.

Last week the Assembly advanced the measure, which would help shield California pharmacists, doctors and hospitals from penalties for dispensing the abortion pill mifepristone to out-of-state patients. The proposal would also strengthen privacy protections, such as removing prescriber names from abortion medication labels.

CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.