Sacramento – Today, the California Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus has endorsed the Yes on Proposition 1 campaign.
“The AAPI Caucus is committed to ensuring the AAPI community has equal access to essential services, including health care like abortion and contraceptives, which is why we are proud to stand strong in our support of Proposition 1,” said Senator Richard Pan, M.D. (D-Sacramento). “As a physician, I know how important it is that medical decisions like abortion stay between a person and their provider, not driven by political agendas. Abortion bans happening across the country are confusing for our AAPI and immigrant communities, especially as these changes are not communicated in native languages. The result is reduced access to care for those who need it most. Prop 1 will ensure that abortion and contraceptive access remain available, regardless of which political party is in power or who controls the court.”
Proposition 1 will explicitly add the right to an abortion to the California State Constitution. The measure is consistent with existing state rights to privacy and equal protection and would ensure that regardless of who or what party controls the government or the courts in the future, a person’s right to an abortion is protected in California.
“Since the conservative Supreme Court overturned decades of reproductive freedom, we have seen states across the country ban access to abortion. These bans disproportionately impact communities of color – creating further divides in access to essential health care,” said Jodi Hicks, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “We need Prop 1 so that regardless of who you are or what community you come from, access to abortion and contraceptives are a fundamental right in California. We are deeply grateful for the support of the AAPI Legislative Caucus and extend our thanks for their endorsement.”
“Access to affordable and equitable sexual and reproductive health care – including abortion and birth control – is essential for our health and well-being. We appreciate and applaud the AAPI Legislative Caucus’ endorsement of Prop 1, and look forward to partnering with Caucus members to ensure that the right to make intimate decisions about our health and futures is free from government interference for AAPI community members and all Californians for generations to come,” said Amy Moy, Chief External Affairs Officer and Acting President + CEO at Essential Access Health. “As a member of the California Future of Abortion Council, we will continue to work closely with the Caucus to advance policy solutions that protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care with a health equity lens.
