Black women and birthing people deserve access to essential healthcare. With Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature on two landmark bills, California has taken a powerful step toward that vision.
In a state where Black women account for 21 percent of pregnancy-related deaths and just 5 percent of births, systemic racism continues to shape maternal outcomes. Despite past reforms, accountability has fallen short. Many hospitals ignore mandated anti-bias training or fail to submit reporting protocols, a recent report on California’s Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act found. This proves that passing laws is not the same as transforming care.
That is why the recent signing of AB 260, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Act, and AB 55, the Freedom to Birth Act, represents a watershed moment. Together, these laws reimagine reproductive health in California by centering the lived realities of Black women and birthing people.
Why the Freedom to Birth Act Matters
The Freedom to Birth Act (AB 55) makes it easier for midwives to obtain licensure and expands the ability of birth centers to serve families across California. For too long, unnecessary and costly requirements have forced many centers to close and kept midwives from providing culturally concordant, community-based care. Black and Indigenous birthing people, who are disproportionately failed by traditional hospital systems, stand to gain the most from expanded access to safe and affirming alternatives.
Assembly member Mia Bonta, who co-authored the bill, explained:
“Eliminating requirements that are only driving up prices for providers and are irrelevant to patient safety is a much-needed step to ensure our remaining birth centers can stay afloat and lay the groundwork for more facilities to open. This bill is particularly important for combatting the worsening maternal health trends under our current system that are disproportionately impacting Black and Indigenous pregnant patients and could be better addressed by accessible culturally concordant care.”
AB 55 affirms every birthing person’s right to choose where and with whom they give birth—a core tenant of reproductive justice. It creates a pathway for more equitable, accessible care rooted in trusts and cultural understanding.
Why the Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Act Matters
Signed alongside AB 55, AB 260 strengthens California’s abortion protections by safeguarding access to medication abortion; which accounts for more than 60 percent of abortions nationwide, against potential federal rollbacks. Medication abortion is also essential in miscarriage management and life-threatening pregnancy complications, where delays in care can mean the difference between survival and tragedy.
For Black women and birthing people, who already face disproportionate barriers in hospitals and higher rates of pregnancy-related mortality, securing access to abortion care is inseparable from advancing maternal health. Abortion is healthcare, and in many cases, it is life-saving care.
“California is again showing we won’t back down in the fight for reproductive freedom,” said Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, who is also the Legislative Women’s Caucus chair.
“By signing AB 260, Gov. Newsom is making sure that patients and providers in our state are protected from extremist attacks trying to block access to care. Abortion care is healthcare, and in California we’re committed to keeping it safe, legal, and accessible for everyone who needs it.”
The Work Ahead
With both AB 55 and AB 260 now law, California has the opportunity, and the obligation, to deliver on their promise. That will require:
- Investing in birth centers and midwife training so that AB 55’s licensing reforms translate into real, statewide access.
- Strengthening oversight and accountability for hospitals that continue to ignore equity mandates, including bias training and reporting requirements.
- Addressing maternity care deserts, especially in rural and low-income communities where families travel hours for prenatal or delivery care. In these regions, birth centers and midwives could be lifelines if adequately supported.
- Embedding abortion access into maternal health planning, ensuring that emergency departments and providers are trained, resourced and unafraid to provide abortion care when needed.
- Centering community expertise, organizations like Black Women for Wellness Action Project and other Black reproductive justice leaders have already developed culturally grounded, life-saving solutions. Implementation must prioritize their leadership, funding and on-the-ground knowledge to ensure these laws deliver on their promise.
Without these commitments, the promise of AB 55 and AB 260 will remain on paper while Black mothers and birthing people continue to die at alarming rates.
A Holistic Vision of Reproductive Justice
With the Freedom to Birth Act and Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Act now on the books, California has proven what’s possible when reproductive justice and racial justice align. But signing bills is just the beginning. Implementation will determine whether these laws truly save lives, or simply headlines.
Black women and birthing people have always known what we need to survive and thrive. Now, the state must have courage to follow through. The lives, dignity and futures of Black birthing people depend on it.
Great Job LaKisha G. Camese & the Team @ Ms. Magazine Source link for sharing this story.
