Senate approves $90 million to backfill federal cuts to family‑planning providers

The California State Senate on Feb. 12 concurred in Assembly amendments to Senate Bill 106 and approved passage of the budget measure that provides $90,000,000 in one‑time grants to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to support family‑planning providers. The roll call returned Ayes 26, No 9.

Senator Laird, who explained the bill, described SB 106 as an early‑action budget item intended to replace roughly $335 million in clinic services affected by an immediate federal cut under HR 1 that took effect on July 4, 2025. The $90 million is designed to help preserve preventive services such as contraception, cancer screenings, STI testing, prenatal care and other Medi‑Cal patient services at community clinics and Planned Parenthood health centers.

The measure drew vigorous debate. Senator Milo opposed the bill on grounds that it waives public contracting and the Public Records Act for this allocation, warning that no‑bid contracts and limited transparency could invite fraud and reduce public accountability. Senator Grove and other critics argued the $90 million would be better spent addressing financially distressed rural hospitals and maternity units and pressed for clarity on where the funds would go.

Supporters, including Pro Tem Maguire and Senator Blake Spear, countered that the larger driver of disruptions to rural health care is the federal Medicaid (HR 1) changes and that immediate action was needed to prevent clinic closures. Proponents said SB 106 targets services rendered by clinics serving vulnerable communities; the bill’s author stressed the funding would be used for non‑abortion clinics services and that federal rules already prohibit federal dollars from paying for abortions.

Opponents pressed for more transparent accounting of how funds will be allocated and whether out‑of‑state patients would be covered. The author and supporters said nonprofits are subject to annual audits and that the Department would distribute grants to preserve existing services across rural and urban communities.

The Senate voted to concur in the Assembly amendments by roll call (Ayes 26, No 9). The bill will proceed as amended for the next steps in the legislative budget process.