Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1696592747957.pdf (United States)
Reproductive Health Care Assessment Response to the Board of Supervisors Action on May 24, 2022: Strengthening Access to Reproductive Health Care Board of Supervisors Directive On May 24, 2022, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors directed staff to: ▪ Conduct a comprehensive assessment of reproductive health care services offered by County of San Diego (County), and County health contractors, including: ▪ Barriers to care ▪ Opportunities to optimize these services, including expanding partnerships with providers ▪ Identify opportunities to address and reduce health disparities for marginalized communities ▪ Advocate for regulatory, budgetary, and legislative efforts that strengthen access to reproductive rights and health care services, including abortion.
2 Scope & Methodology ▪ The scope of this assessment focused on “prevention, identification (detection), and treatment of pregnancies that are unintended, undesired, non-viable and/or a threat to the pregnant person’s health.” ▪ Approach included: ▪ Workgroup meetings and in-depth interviews with County department representatives to collect information on the aspects of reproductive health addressed in their programs ▪ Literature review to identify best practices for increasing access to services 3 Initial Discoveries County Reproductive Health Programs ▪ Direct services for abortion are not provided by the County or contractors ▪ Staff are not trained to discuss pregnancy options ▪ Procedures or processes are not currently in place for assisting clients seeking abortion services ▪ Many programs provide sexual and reproductive health counseling ▪ Social services are available for clients seeking reproductive services 4 Initial Discoveries Community Reproductive Health ▪ Medication-induced abortion is available during early pregnancy ▪ Federal funding restrictions limit access to services for low-income and uninsured persons ▪ Limited data/information available for: ▪ Abortion options and providers offering comprehensive reproductive health care services ▪ Providers in the rural areas of the county ▪ Number of persons seeking abortion services locally ▪ Services that are culturally and linguistically responsive ▪ Misinformation on abortion risks and options ▪ Stigma from partner, family/friends, providers and society ▪ Active-duty military often face unique barriers to abortion access, including restrictive coverage, inability to arrange time off, concerns of privacy and fear of reprimand or career limitations 5 Opportunities for Advocacy ▪ Legislative - Active support of: ▪ State Constitutional Amendment 10 (SCA 10) ▪ House of Representatives Bill 8111 (H.R.
8111), the My Body, My Data Act ▪ Regulatory ▪ State Executive Order N-12-22 Reproductive Freedom ▪ Federal Executive Order 14076 Protecting Access to Reproductive Healthcare Services ▪ Federal Executive Order 14079 Securing Access to Reproductive and Other Healthcare Services ▪ Budgetary - California’s FY 22-23 Enacted Budget includes over $200 million in investments to protect the right to safe and accessible reproductive health care 6 Draft Recommendations ▪ Training for all County/contracted staff providing services for persons seeking pregnancy identification, education or treatment ▪ Well-developed procedures person-centered referral pathways and ▪ Advocate for a State assessment of abortion providers to determine if it is adequate to meet the current and potential demand ▪ Consider advocating in support of future State and Federal increase and/or expand access to budget proposals that abortion and review 2023 Legislative Program 7 THANK YOU!