Newsom vows to cut California ties with Walgreens after chain limits abortion pill access

California Gov. Gavin Newsom had two words Monday for Walgreens: “We’re done.”

Newsom vowed to cut the state’s business ties with America’s second-largest pharmacy retail chain after it recently announced it would no longer sell the abortion medication mifepristone by mail in 20 states, including states where abortion remains legal, but where conservative attorneys general have threatened to sue if sales continue.

“California won’t be doing business with @walgreens — or any company that cowers to the extremists and puts women’s lives at risk,” Newsom wrote in a morning tweet.

But, as is often the case with the governor’s big announcements, it raised more questions than answers.

What business was Newsom referring to? Would his decision impact Walgreens customers who rely on state-provided insurance such as Medi-Cal or Covered California? Are there public health contracts that would be terminated as a result of Newsom’s decision?

In a statement, Newsom spokesman Brandon Richards said: “California is reviewing all relationships between Walgreens and the state. We will not pursue business with companies that cave to right wing bullies pushing their extremist agenda or companies that put politics above the health of women and girls.”

Neither Newsom’s office nor the California Department of Public Health responded to follow up questions before close of business Monday.

Walgreens also offered little in the way of clarification.

“From the outset, we have made our intentions clear to become a certified pharmacy to distribute Mifepristone wherever legally possible to do so,” wrote Walgreens spokesman Fraser Engerman in an email to The Bee.

Previous versions of this story incorrectly reported that abortion was legal in all 20 states where Walgreens decided to halt sales by mail of mifepristone.

This story was originally published March 6, 2023 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Newsom vows to cut California ties with Walgreens after chain limits abortion pill access."