Proposed bill would allow Arizona doctors to perform abortions in California

OAKLAND, Calif. - Governor Gavin Newsom announced his support for a new bill introduced Wednesday, that would provide temporary permits for Arizona doctors to provide their patients with abortion procedures in the state of California.

State Senator Nancy Skinner, (D) Oakland, is a co-sponsor of SB-233 and announced the effort at a news conference in partnership with Governor Newsom, the California Medical Board and other organizations.

"We will be a safe haven so that Arizonans do not have to carry an unplanned, unwanted or health-endangering pregnancy," Skinner said.

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on April 9 in support of an 1864 law banning all abortions except when the mother's life is in jeopardy.

"This Arizona law is the first border state law that will directly impact the state of California," Newsom said. "We're trying to get ahead of this law, which goes into effect on June 8th."

According to a statement by Skinner's office, the bill, "would temporarily allow licensed Arizona doctors to provide abortion and abortion-related care to Arizona patients traveling to California through November 30, 2024. The Arizona doctors would be under the oversight of California’s Medical Board and Osteopathic Medical Board and would be required to provide registration information to those boards."

"Our Arizona sisters can come to California to get the health care that they need from their own doctors," Skinner said.

Christian Garcia, Vice-President of Governmental Affairs with Planned Parenthood of Northern California says their clinics and call centers across 20 counties have been ramping up to accommodate more patients, ever since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down abortion rights with the Dobbs decision.

"Since the Dobbs decision, we've seen a 38% increase. Some of those are out of state, some are in-state," Garcia said. "We've been staffing up, some of our health centers have been expanding."

Garcia says Planned Parenthood supports SB233, but concerns continue over how long there will be donations and funding for women who might not be able to pay.

"Things like uncompensated care, where if somebody cannot afford a procedure...they won't be turned down because of that cost," Garcia said.

After the news conference, there was a late development, as lawmakers in Arizona's House voted to repeal the state's abortion ban.

Three Republicans joined all 29 Democrats in Arizona's House to send the repeal over to Arizona's Senate.

Skinner's office is hoping to get the SB233 bill passed soon. The bill's medical clearance for Arizona doctors would be temporary, and last only through the end of November.

It would need a two-thirds majority in both houses. Gov. Newsom said he would sign it, and it would take effect immediately.

The governor's team said they are working closely with Arizona's Democratic governor, Katie Hobbs.

"When you're the size of 21 states combined, we have more at stake than any other state in America. A third of the Planned Parenthoods are here in California," Newsom said.

Newsom has run ads across the country, specifically in states where abortion bans have gone into effect, such as in the South, all paid for by his Campaign for Democracy political action committee (PAC).

"We are putting the boxing gloves on to fight for women's rights," Senator Nancy Skinner said of the bill.

Since Roe versus Wade was overturned nearly two years ago, Arizona and 14 other states have limited abortion access.

According to the governor, the number of people seeking abortion care has gone up 17% since Roe versus Wade was overturned about two years ago. Experts say changes to abortion access across the country have been incredibly confusing for doctors and patients.

"Right now the legal ramifications are so complicated a lot of people don't even know what their legal rights are," Grace Howard, Associate Professor of Justice Studies at San Jose State University told KTVU. Howard said because of this, some doctors are pulling out of states with strict abortion laws.

Skinner's SB233 would not require Arizona doctors to move to California. The governor said the bill is based on current law that allows cross-border care for military women.

Jana Katsuyama is a reporter for KTVU. Email Jana at jana.katsuyama@fox.com or call her at 510-326-5529. Or follow her on Twitter @JanaKTVU.

KTVU's Bailey O'Carrol contributed to this report.