Ask Gov. Newsom to Act Now on STI Coverage

We must act now to increase health equity in California through AB1645. Right now, AB1645 is on Gov. Newsom’s desk and it has the chance to make major progress for LGBTQ+ health.

AB1645 addresses gaps in current healthcare coverage while also strengthening protections for patients to ensure California health insurers continue to provide free and complete coverage for STI testing.  This is an LGBTQ+ issue as some of the highest rates of STIs are amongst the LGBTQ+ community, BIPOC folks, and young people. 

Stigma, fear, or costs should not deter folks from getting the quality care they need. If AB1645 were signed into effect, then this would be a step for all Californians and greatly help the LGBTQ+ community.

Health care should be equal and accessible, but that’s not the case…
- Black Californians face a disproportionate burden of STIs compared to other groups, which may reflect unequal access to quality STI care and other factors. 
- Compared to their white counterparts, the rates of reportable STIs among Black Californians are nearly 5 times higher for chlamydia and gonorrhea and nearly 3 times higher for early syphilis.