California extends abortion study

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill this weekend extending a study program that allows abortions to be performed by healthcare workers other than doctors. The program is aimed at increasing the access to non-surgical abortion in rural areas where physicians are not always readily available. Brown was in Los Angeles to sign the measure, which extends the study for two years. The program allows a limited number of qualified physician assistants, midwives and nurse practitioners to perform the procedures. The Los Angeles Times said the California Right to Life Committee opposed the measure on the grounds it put expectant women at risk. Brown signed a total of 25 health-related bills Saturday, including one that would allow clinic nurses to dispense contraceptive hormones under the direction of a nurse practitioner, physician assistant or midwife.