FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Ana Sandoval, PPAC Communications, 916.446.5247 or
                Amy Moy, California Family Health Council, 415.518.4465 

Yes on AB 2348

Key Senate Committee Supports Increasing Access to Birth Control 

SACRAMENTO -- Lawmakers in Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee voted 6-2 to pass AB 2348 (Mitchell) – the Access to Birth Control Bill.  The bill is expected move to the Senate Floor in August.

"The members that passed AB 2348 out of committee understand that women need access to safe, effective birth control - when they need it - so they can reduce their risk of unintended pregnancy. This is good for women's health and good public policy for California,' said Julie Rabinovitz, President and CEO of California Family Health Council. "We look forward to continuing to work with the author, our partners and other key stakeholders as the bill moves through the legislative process."

"California has always been a national leader in its support of women's health and efforts to remove barriers to reproductive health care," said Kathy Kneer, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. "Yet there are still areas of the state where women can't get timely access to birth control. Some have to wait hours in health centers or wait weeks to get an appointment for contraception. We can and we must do better."

Authored by Assemblymember Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), AB 2348 will help address these issues by allowing Registered Nurses to work within their scope and training to dispense hormonal birth control – some of the safest and widely used medications in the world - under a standardized procedure.

Leading  medical institutions, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), have developed evidence-based guidelines for use of hormonal contraceptives which are based on patient assessment, medical history, blood pressure, history of smoking and other basic elements that are well within the skills, training and scope of practice of RNs. AB 2348 can help more women get the birth control they want when they need it without compromising quality care.

AB 2348 is sponsored by Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and the California Family Health Council. It has the backing of health and women's organizations throughout California including:

• American Medical Women’s Association
• American Nurses Association, California
• California Black Women’s Health Project
• California Latinas for Reproductive Justice
• California Primary Care Association
• Physicians for Reproductive Choice & Health
• Services Employees International Union
• Sistersong
• United Nurses Associations of CA/Union of Healthcare Professionals
• Women’s Community Clinic
• Women’s Health Specialists
• ACCESS Women’s Health Justice
• ACLU, California
• Coalition Advancing Multipurpose Innovations
• Forward Together
• Ibis Reproductive Health
• Law Students for Reproductive Justice
• Maternal and Child Health Access
• National Center for Youth Law
• National Council of Jewish Women
• Nevada County Citizens for Choice

California Family Health Council (CFHC) distributes federal Title X family planning funding to nearly 80 health care organizations throughout the state that collectively serve over 1.2 million Californians with sexual and reproductive health care services every year. CFHC also conducts advanced research in reproductive health technologies, leads health education, training and community outreach efforts and advocates to expand access to quality sexual and reproductive health care for all Californians.  http://www.cfhc.org

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is a 501 (c) 4 organization, representing eight separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates throughout California on statewide governmental issues. PPAC is one of 21 state public affairs offices of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of reproductive and preventive health care, family planning and comprehensive sexual health education. http://www.PPactionCA.org