In the wake of the recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Board of Governors of L.A. Care Health Plan today approved a resolution in support of abortion rights. L.A. Care, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan serving more than 2.7 million people in Los Angeles County, was deeply disturbed by the high court’s ruling that removed the right to an abortion that stood for nearly 50 years in this country.
The resolution notes that there are an estimated 25 million unsafe abortions every year around the world, resulting in injury or death. L.A. Care recognizes that the ruling is expected to lead to restrictions or a ban on access to abortion in nearly half of all states, potentially making this number even higher. Board members want it known that L.A. Care believes all reproductive rights are human rights, and essential healthcare includes access to abortion services and contraception.
L.A. Care resolved to strongly advocate through its representatives for the United States Congress to move swiftly to codify Roe v. Wade, protecting the right to contraception and abortion in the United States. The health plan also seeks to retain, uphold and expand California’s tradition of protecting statewide access to abortion services and contraception.