We envision a future where people decide for themselves whether, when, and how to have children. A future where people have access to the resources and options they need to realize their sexual and reproductive health decisions.
ACCESS removes barriers and builds the power of Californians to achieve reproductive justice.
Most people believe that reproductive health care is easy to get in California, because we enjoy some of the strongest reproductive rights in the nation. Medi-Cal covers prenatal care and abortion, and low-cost family planning services are widely available. Legally, there are few restrictions on abortion.
Yet, thousands of people in California still find it nearly impossible to act on these rights or obtain reproductive health care without a struggle. Reproductive rights are meaningless when you don't know where to get birth control, no abortion provider accepts your insurance, you are afraid to seek prenatal care because of your immigration status, or the closest clinic is hours from your home.
ACCESS was founded in 1993 by clinic escorts who witnessed the many barriers women were facing – especially young or poor women – to actually obtain an abortion. The vision for ACCESS was not only to provide information and practical support on all aspects of reproductive health, but to build a community actively working to meet the real needs of women.
We combine direct services, community education, and policy advocacy to promote real reproductive options and access to quality health care for people in California. No other organization in the state provides the same range of support for people considering or seeking an abortion.
Our Mission
ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE removes barriers to sexual and reproductive health care and builds the power of Californians to demand health, justice, and dignity.
We envision a future where people are treated with dignity and respect in those decisions.
A future where people understand the context decision-making around pregnancy, and where those decisions are free from stigma.
We envision a future where our voices are clear and strong; where each pregnant person trusts themselves, knows their own power and uses it to demand that everyone have the social, political, and economic power and resources to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families.