February 23, 2020 - On Friday, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and California Governor Gavin Newsom sent a letter on behalf of the State of California responding to the January 24 Notice of Violation (Notice) issued by the Trump Administration’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The Notice alleged that California law, which requires health plans in the state to offer abortion coverage, violates the Weldon Amendment, a federal appropriations rider that is intended to restrict abortion. In their response, the state leaders defend California law and highlight that not only is it legal, OCR itself previously determined that the state law does not violate the Weldon Amendment.

In response, Congressman Kevin McCarthy released the following statement:

Friends,

On Friday, California’s leadership decided that it would continue to disregard the rights of pro-life Americans. And though this announcement is unsurprising, it is nonetheless disappointing. No one should be compelled by state authorities to include abortion in their health insurance plan. The state’s actions are cold and cruel.
 
To those who are being discriminated against by the government’s constant overreach, we see you, and we hear you. And we will continue to hold California’s leadership accountable.

May God bless you,
Kevin McCarthy

Source: Congressman Kevin McCarthy

Related: California Attorney General Becerra and Governor Gavin Newsom: California Law Protecting Women’s Reproductive Healthcare Does Not Violate Weldon Amendment