Newsom’s Controversial Decisions: Vetoing Condoms and Insulin Bills Explained

Gavin Newsom utilizes his veto power to address two controversial bills, drawing criticism from fellow Democrats. Firstly, on Saturday, the California governor rejected a legislation that aimed to limit the out-of-pocket expenses for prescription insulin to $35 per month. This decision has received backlash, as insulin is a life-saving medication for many diabetics. Newsom justified his actions by highlighting California’s plan to manufacture its own affordable insulin, known as CalRx.

Under a contract with Civica Rx, CalRx insulin vials will be priced at just $30 each. “By focusing on the underlying costs, we can create a sustainable solution to combat exorbitant pharmaceutical prices,” explained Newsom, defending his veto. However, he faced another wave of criticism after vetoing a bill on Sunday that aimed to provide free condoms to the roughly 2 million public high school students in California. The legislation also sought to make it illegal for retailers to deny condom sales to these students.

While Newsom acknowledged the importance of supporting adolescent sexual health, he maintained that the proposal was too costly. State Sen. Scott Wiener, the Democrat who sponsored the insulin bill, expressed disappointment in Newsom’s decision, referring to it as a “missed opportunity” and a setback for diabetics in California. Additionally, state Sen. Caroline Menjivar, who authored the condoms bill, criticized Newsom’s veto, describing it as a setback for sexual health equity. She emphasized the need to meet high school students where they are to effectively address the STI crisis in the state. In addition to these bills, Newsom also vetoed legislation that would have decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms and banned caste-based discrimination. (Read more Gavin Newsom stories.)