Vasectomies Will Be Cheaper for Men in California Once Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs New Bill

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Getty

California lawmakers are one step away from making vasectomies cheaper for men.

On Wednesday, state senators passed the Contraceptive Equity Act of 2022, which would go into effect in 2024 and allow men on private insurance plans to receive vasectomies at no cost other than monthly premiums.

“This legislation will build on existing measures to help ensure our contraceptive benefits and policies extend to millions more across the state since current law leaves too many individuals and communities without equitable access,” Sen. Connie Leyva, the bill’s author, said in arelease. “Californians must be able to decide for themselves if and when they have children.”

“Now SB 523 stands one signature away from becoming law and reducing the ongoing health disparities in reproductive health outcomes for people of color, low-income Californians and young adults,” she added.

Rich Pedroncelli/AP/Shutterstock

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“Reproductive freedom is on the line and it’s not a guarantee anywhere. Anything you thought was a given is not, and should be codified into law,” said Liz McCaman Taylor, senior attorney with the National Health Law Program, a group that supports abortion rights. “[This bill] is so important for making California a safe space and a place where reproductive freedom for all people and all genders is valued and baked into the system.”

Wednesday’s decision comes months after the state also made abortions cheaper for women.

Illinois, Oregon, New York, Maryland and Massachusetts have also banned out-of-pocket costs for abortions.

source: people.com