Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Dave Pine, District 1
Supervisor Warren Slocum, District 4
Subject: Affirmation of Support for Women’s Reproductive Freedom and Health Care Privacy
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution affirming San Mateo County’s Unwavering Support for Women’s Reproductive Freedom and Healthcare Privacy.
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BACKGROUND:
Over the last several years, many States have passed laws that restrict, prohibit and even criminalize abortion and the federal courts have become increasingly hostile to women’s freedom to make their own decisions with respect to reproductive healthcare. The County of San Mateo has stated its support for abortion rights, including by joining in an amicus brief in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which is pending before the United States Supreme Court.
The County of San Mateo, through its healthcare delivery system and the public health programs it administers, provides healthcare services and outreach to build trust with women, particularly women of color and low-income women, and these programs and efforts would be impaired by government actions that criminalize abortion and deter women from seeking needed health care. Moreover, these healthcare services have resulted in a significant reduction in teen pregnancy, as well as reduced disparities in reproductive health care based on race, ethnicity and socio-economic status.
DISCUSSION:
As noted, the ability of women to safely access abortion and other healthcare services is increasingly threatened across the United States and it is essential that the County of San Mateo join with other jurisdictions to demonstrate a strong commitment to women’s reproductive freedom and healthcare rights and to support the preservation and expansion of reproductive healthcare access for all women.
We therefore request that the Board of Supervisors adopt the resolution accompanying this memorandum to affirm the County’s unwavering support of women’s reproductive freedom and healthcare privacy. The resolution also directs the County Executive to develop for the Board of Supervisors’ consideration an action plan to further the Board’s commitment to these principles and to bring this action plan to the Board of Supervisors for its review and approval at the Board’s meeting of June 14, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None