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San Mateo County supervisors have unanimously adopted a resolution affirming the county's support for women's reproductive freedom and healthcare policy.
In a press release, the board of supervisors said this resolution, voted upon Tuesday morning, represents the initial step in its efforts to support unfettered access to reproductive care in San Mateo County.
The resolution will provide additional financial support to Planned Parenthood clinics within the county and includes a "protective buffer zone" for patients seeking care at the Planned Parenthood facility located in the unincorporated North Fair Oaks community.
The supervisors' vote comes just three weeks after the Redwood City Council unanimously supported a recommendation to send a letter calling on the board to enact protections for people seeking care at local reproductive health facilities, specifically the Planned Parenthood at 2907 El Camino Real. Mayor Giselle Hale first raised the idea of creating a buffer zone in February.
“As other states close access to safe and legal abortion, California will become an abortion sanctuary state,” she said, pointing to increasing protests at abortion clinics across the country, the rise in states stamping down on access to abortions and the possible overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Reports of a leaked draft from the U.S. Supreme Court suggesting to strike down Roe v. Wade, a 1973 landmark abortion ruling that legalized abortion across the U.S., stunned leaders throughout the Bay Area.
“The recently leaked draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion indicates that the Court will destroy the protection and privacy rights given to women for nearly 50 years under Roe v. Wade,” said Vice President of the Board and the resolution's co-sponsor, Dave Pine, D-3.
“If true, half of the states will turn back the clock on protections for women by banning abortion and force untold numbers to seek care in states like California and counties like San Mateo County.”
Members of the North Fair Oaks Community Council (NFOCC) plan to throw their support behind the proposed buffer zone as well.
"I'm working with county staff to create our own letter to the board requesting a buffer zone around reproductive health facilities in North Fair Oaks," NFOCC Chair Brooks Esser wrote in an email. "It is my goal to have a discussion on this issue, and hopefully a draft of our letter, ready for discussion at our May 26 regular Council meeting."
The board said that although San Mateo's county-operated healthcare delivery system and public health programs provide robust services, community partners such as Planned Parenthood represent "a crucial and increasingly important element of access to health care, particularly reproductive care."
“San Mateo County will protect access to reproductive care and offer support to women seeking care,” said Supervisor Warren Slocum, D-4, the other co-sponsor. “Our county will be a safe place where women can access reproductive care without fear of criminal sanctions or harassment.”
The package of efforts to support Planned Parenthood and access to reproductive care, which will include financial support for the agency to make critical infrastructure investments at its clinics, will be considered at the board of supervisors meeting on June 14.
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte currently operates three sites in San Mateo County.
