In a veto memo, he wrote that he “wholeheartedly [supports] efforts to ensure affordable and accessible prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS” but questioned whether the bill would actually increase the affordability of and access to necessary preventative treatment. “By exceeding the cost-sharing provisions under the ACA [Affordable Care Act], this bill would result in increased costs to health plans, which would then be passed on to consumers.”

In response, González wrote to the Los Angeles Blade about his disappointment. Still, he remains hopeful about the state of PrEP access. “I’m deeply grateful to Gov. Newsom for his continued partnership and for standing with us in protecting access to PrEP through this year’s budget.”

#SB 418: Stronger access to gender-affirming care without discrimination (Vetoed)

In the governor’s veto memo, he wrote that he was “concerned” about the bill’s limitation on utilization management methods. For him, it’s an “important tool [that ensured] enrollees receive the right care at the right time. Prohibiting this cost constraint strategy is likely to result in an increase in enrollee premiums to offset costs incurred by health plans and insurers.”

For Menjivar, this decision was “heartbreaking” as TGI individuals continue to face barriers to vital care.

“SB 418 was the most tangible and effective legislative tool introduced this year to help TGI folks weather this political storm,” Menjivar wrote to the Blade. Still, she says that she is committed to continue fighting to secure health care access for TGI community members.

SB 59: Confidentiality protections for trans, nonbinary individuals AB 678: Creating an LGBTQ inclusive council on homelessness AB 1525: Restricting disciplinary action against attorneys on the basis of ‘sensitive services, which includes gender-affirming care AB 1084: Streamlining court processes for name and gender marker changes SB 450: Protecting adoption rights for LGBTQ+ parents and families SB 497: Protecting right to gender-affirming care from out-of-state law enforcement SB 590: Including chosen family members in paid family leave laws AB 1487: Expanding equity fund to include two-spirit communities AB 82: Confidentiality protections for patients and providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care

9/11 passed, so I dont know that I would exactly suggest he is anti LGBTQ, and while I have NO love for this man, it seems he had some reasonable reason for vetoing the two specific bills. I cant speak to how reasonable or if it was in good faith, but he provided feedback as to his areas of concern.