All Public Colleges and Universities in the SUNY and CUNY Systems Will Offer Abortion Care
Legislation Will Provide New Yorkers with Over-The-Counter Contraception, Prescribed by Pharmacists
Proposal Would Protect Personal Data of Women Seeking Abortion Care and Increase Reimbursement Rates for Reproductive Health Care Services
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new steps as part of the 2023 State of the State that would solidify New York’s status as a safe harbor for all who seek abortion care. Governor Hochul proposes expanding abortion access on SUNY and CUNY campuses, allowing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception, enacting additional data protections for patients seeking reproductive health care, and fortifying the reproductive health care system through increased Medicaid reimbursement rates.
“As other states wage war on abortion access, my message to New Yorkers is clear: Not here, not now, not ever,” Governor Hochul said. “The women of New York will never be subjected to government-mandated pregnancies. These initiatives will further expand access to contraception and abortion services, and boost support for reproductive health providers and patients.”
Since the United States Supreme Court issued the Dobbs decision last year, stripping away reproductive rights from millions of women, Governor Hochul has led the charge to make New York a safe harbor for all who seek abortion care. Governor Hochul created the nation-leading $35 million investment in abortion care and worked with the Legislature to pass six new laws to protect and support providers.
Governor Hochul’s plan would ensure all public colleges in the SUNY and CUNY systems either offer medication abortion in their campus health facilities or establish a relationship with a local reproductive health care provider in order to directly refer students to a trusted facility for abortion services. This will provide students with the health care they need, while ensuring each campus can facilitate these vital services.
Additionally, Governor Hochul proposes allowing pharmacists to directly prescribe hormonal contraception medication, joining 20 other states that already allow for this practice. This will expand access to hormonal contraception to all New Yorkers and will be especially vital for marginalized populations who may not have a primary care provider but do have a local pharmacy nearby.
To ensure New York continues to have some of the strongest protections for abortion providers, Governor Hochul will also increase support for these health care professionals. The 2023 State of the State includes plans to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for reproductive health providers, to help preserve these critical services in New York State. Governor Hochul is also proposing legislation to protect the personal data, including location history and search history, of anyone seeking abortion care in New York.
Acting New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul's unwavering leadership, New York State will continue to protect and expand access to contraception and abortion services for all those who wish to access them. The reproductive health services we offer here in New York are more important than ever, and these initiatives will enable us to continue to remove barriers to access for those who are in need of more resources, education, protection, and support.”
Last year, a resolution was passed in support of the state Equal Rights Amendment, the first step toward amending the New York State Constitution to protect abortion rights. Governor Hochul will work with the legislature to pass the resolution a second time so that it may go to the voters on the ballot in 2024.