On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned the constitutional right to abortion. Alameda Health System (AHS), as the safety-net provider in California’s second-largest metropolitan area, plays a crucial role in protecting, strengthening, and expanding abortion care services.
AHS Board President, Kinkini Banerjee, participated in a panel of Bay Area public sector leaders, convened by the nine county Bay Area Abortion Rights Coalition (BAARC) Initiative, developed and led by the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women. BAARC is the first ever regional collective of municipal and county governments and reproductive health and justice stakeholders committed to working together to reinforce and reimagine the local reproductive healthcare system in the post-Roe era.
Trustee Banerjee shared how AHS centers our patients in abortion services program design by integrating abortion care into our existing sexual and reproductive health care and health equity efforts. Dr. Altshuler, Director of Family Planning Services, and Ms. Jyesha Wren, Founder and Co-Director of BEloved Birth Black Centering participated in the BAARC initiative, conveying AHS’ commitment to the full spectrum of culturally affirming sexual and reproductive health and well-being, reproductive justice and freedom.
The overarching message from the speaker panel and the region was clear: reproductive freedom starts at the local level.
