California Gov. Gavin Newsom is backtracking on statements made last month, after federal regulations prevented him from pulling state contracts with Walgreens, over the abortion drug mifepristone the retailer refuses to dispense in 21 U.S. states.
“California has no intention of taking any action that would violate federal Medicaid requirements, or that could undermine access for low-income individuals,” Tony Cava, a spokesperson for the California Department of Health Care Services, said in a statement.
Newsom announced March 8 he was planning not to renew an agreement—set to take effect May 1—between California and Illinois-based Walgreens primarily used by the state’s correctional health care system….