Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law granting $90 million in emergency funds to Planned Parenthood amid federal cuts, ensuring essential healthcare services for women.<\/p>\n
SACRAMENTO, Calif. \u2014 Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed into law legislation \u2013 passed by both houses earlier this week \u2013 to expedite $90 million in one-time emergency funding to Planned Parenthood. This grant is in addition to the $140-million the legislature allocated to Planned Parenthood last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Newsom was joined on stage by first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, members of the legislative women’s caucus, and the president of Planned Parenthood California, Jodi Hicks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dressed in pink, legislators and advocates denounced the federal government for cuts to the Planned Parenthood program and explained that this grant, which comes from the state’s general fund, will guarantee STD services, cancer screenings, abortions, and other healthcare for women will continue.<\/p>\n
“In California, we don’t defund healthcare. we defend it,” said Asm. Jesse Gabriel, Assembly Budget Chair.<\/p>\n
Planned Parenthood operates more than 100 health clinics statewide \u2013 some of which have closed due to federal funding cuts under the so-called big beautiful bill. H-R 1 bans Medi-Cal funding from reimbursing services under Planned Parenthood.<\/p>\n
“What are we as a nation thinking? Women are the backbones of our families, our communities, and our economy,” said Jennifer Siebel Newsom, first partner. “Without us, what do you have?”<\/p>\n
But republicans argue that in granting the contract exclusively and so quickly to Planned Parenthood, they’re concerned about transparency and whether specific recipients of the grants will be publicly disclosed. They’re pushing for direct investment into rural hospitals impacted by federal cuts. Only two republican legislators voted in favor of this bill.<\/p>\n