Leaked U. S. Supreme Court draft opinion spurs call to action
Redwood City – Two San Mateo County Supervisors today introduced a resolution pledging the “unwavering support” of the County for “a woman’s freedom” to make her own reproductive choices.
The resolution by Supervisors Dave Pine and Warren Slocum directs County staff to develop an action plan to implement the commitment within four weeks.
“We cannot stand by and watch as the rights of women are eroded,” said Pine. “It is unconscionable that in 2022, we are again debating whether a woman should have control over her own reproductive decisions.”
Slocum said, “It’s imperative that every individual who believes in fundamental rights under our Constitution should make their voice heard, and that includes the County of San Mateo.”
The full Board’s consideration of the resolution, to be heard on Tuesday, May 17, at a regularly scheduled meeting, comes as concerns rise that the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.
“What we need to be looking at is expanding women’s rights and expanding access to quality and affordable health care for women, not tearing down rights and services,” Pine said.
The County, with funding approved by the Board of Supervisors, has a long history of supporting access to health care and reproductive health care for women with a focus on access for women of color with low incomes. This includes funding a network of community clinics operated by nonprofit organizations as well as County-operated facilities.
The Board also supports an array of programs for pregnant women and mothers that give their children a healthy start through coaching and education, nutritional support and connections to the medical, behavioral health services that promote well-being. Key research-based programs include the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program, the Nurse-Family Partnership Program, Healthy Families America and the Black Infant Health program.
Slocum said, “What’s clear is that the assault on women’s rights is one step in an assault on many other rights we should no longer take for granted. This list includes the freedom to marry who we want to marry, religious freedom, our fundamental rights to privacy. We must no longer take anything we consider a human right for granted.”
Californians are “overwhelmingly against the repeal of Roe v. Wade,” according to a poll conducted last year by the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank.
The County of San Mateo has previously 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 and was the subject of a recently leaked Court opinion.
To access the proposed Board action, click here.
Public Participation:
The May 17, 2022, Board of Supervisors meeting may be accessed through Zoom online at
https://smcgov.zoom.us/j/94083749340. The meeting ID is: 940 8374 9340.
CONTACTS:
Supervisor Dave Pine
David Burruto (650) 219-0457
Supervisor Warren Slocum
Marci Dragun mdragun@smcgov.org or (650) 576-7658
Supervisor Dave Pine
David Burruto (650) 219-0457
Supervisor Warren Slocum
Marci Dragun mdragun@smcgov.org or (650) 576-7658