Governor OKs some LGBTQ+ bills, rejects others

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed bills requiring insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization for the LGBTQ+ community and prohibiting bans of books with LGBTQ+ content.
But Newsom vetoed legislation that would have expedited the process to license out-of-state physicians providing gender-affirming care, Advocate reported.
Newsom on Sunday signed Senate Bill 729, which requires group health insurers to cover IVF regardless of sexual identity or gender or the plan’s holder’s marital status.
State Sen. Caroline Menjivar, D-San Fernando Valley, called the new law a victory for Californians who were denied coverage because they’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or their relationship status, according to Advocate.
“When attacks on reproductive rights are occurring across the nation, Gov. Newsom stood on the right side of history by expanding coverage for approximately nine million Californians, including LGBTQ+ folks who were previously withheld equal opportunity to become parents under an archaic law that erased their rights,” Menjivar said in a statement.
Assembly Bill 1825, the California Freedom to Read Act,  was signed by Newsom on Sunday.
The legislation prohibits public libraries, public school libraries and the California State Library from banning books because of partisan or political reasons, viewpoint discrimination, gender, sexual identity, religion, disability or “inclusive and diverse perspectives.”
The freedom to read is “at the heart of our nation’s democracy,” said Sen. Dave Min, D-Irvine, in a joint statement with Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance. They are the bill’s authors.
 “Book banning proponents are disproportionately targeting materials containing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQ and communities of color,” Muratsuchi said in the statement, which Advocate quoted.
Newsom on Friday vetoed legislation creating an expedited process for licensing healthcare professionals, including doctors, who provide gender-affirming care.
Assembly Bill 2442 would have affected the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board of Registered Nursing and the Physician Assistant Board.
Equality California and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California expressed “deep” disappointment with Newsom’s veto of AB 2442.
On its website, Equality California said the legislation would have helped to improve access to healthcare for transgender individuals.
Senate Bill 1067, also vetoed by Newsom, requires an expedited process for licensing for healthcare professionals serving underserved populations.
The governor said he was concerned about the two bills’ long-term impacts, such as an increase in licensing fees to support the staff needed to expedite licensing.
He added he wanted to see more data on the issue, but he commended the legislation’s authors for “addressing healthcare gaps in the state.”
The two major presidential candidates have expressed support for IVF. But a recent bill supporting federal protection and expansion of insurance coverage failed in the U.S. Senate after Republicans voted against it. See the video attached to this story for details.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, condemned the Senate’s failure to adopt nationwide protections in a statement.
“Every woman in every state must have reproductive freedom,” Harris said. “Yet, Republicans in Congress have once again made clear that they will not protect access to the fertility treatments many couples need to fulfill their dream of having a child.”
During an NBC News interview, former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, said either the government or insurance companies would be required to pay for IVF if he were elected.
Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached [email protected] or 805-437-0232.