California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation March 22 that bans payers from charging any out-of-pocket costs for abortion services, according to a press release.
The Abortion Accessibility Act prohibits payers from imposing copays, deductibles or other cost-sharing requirements for abortion and abortion-related services. The new law also prohibits payers from imposing utilization management practices on covered abortion and abortion-related services.
California is one of six states that requires health plans to cover abortion services, but out-of-pocket costs for patients can exceed a thousand dollars.
"As states across the country attempt to move us backwards by restricting fundamental reproductive rights, California continues to protect and advance reproductive freedom for all," Mr. Newsom said. "With this legislation, we'll help ensure equitable, affordable access to abortion services so that out-of-pocket costs don't stand in the way of receiving care."