California budget to cover some out-of-state abortion travel

US state to spend up to $20m to bring women to its abortion clinics from parts of country where procedure is now outlawed

California is preparing to spend up to $20m (17m) to bring women from other states to its abortion clinics, a policy aimed at increasing access to a procedure that has been outlawed or restricted in many states since the US supreme court overturned Roe v Wade.

California's governor, Gavin Newsom, had previously restricted the money in the state's abortion practical support fund" for in-state travel only, saying we have to be realistic about what we can absorb". That decision surprised pro-choice advocates, especially since Newsom, a Democrat, had vowed to make California a sanctuary for women in other states seeking abortions.