California government officials and abortion clinics in the state have proposed a plan that would the Golden State an “abortion sanctuary” if the Supreme Court overturns the Roe v. Wade precedent legalizing abortion, the Associated Press reports.
“We’ll be a sanctuary,” Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom said. “We are looking at ways to support that inevitability and looking at ways to expand our protections.” Newsom included funding in a recently passed budget bill to provide assistance, including for travel and lodging expenses, for women seeking an abortion.
A strong advocate for women’s health, the right to abortion is enshrined in the state law. California’s Medicare system pays for abortions for low-income residents, and the state requires insurance providers cover the cost of abortions.