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California expands reproductive healthcare through new laws

The package broadens medication-abortion access at community colleges and adds care options for veterans, pregnant patients and Medi-Cal nursing mothers.

Image credit: State of California / Wikimedia Commons, public domain; official 2026 portrait of Gov. Gavin Newsom, not the bill signing

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of legislation intended to expand reproductive and maternal healthcare across California, the Los Angeles Times reported September 27. The measures include access to medication abortion on community college campuses and a state program through which veterans can receive abortion and contraception services.

What it means locally

A bill sponsored by Thousand Oaks Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin addresses a gap in care for veterans after the federal Department of Veterans Affairs sharply restricted abortion services. Other legislation clarifies that certified nurse-midwives do not need physician supervision for specified pregnancy and postpartum services, and a measure sponsored by San Fernando Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez expands Medi-Cal access to breast pumps and related services for nursing mothers. The accompanying image is Newsom’s official 2026 portrait and is not a photograph of the bill signing.

Full report and further details: Read original report →