New York State Senate Expands Reproductive Protections, Women’s Health, and Privacy

Stone relief of women in Senate Chamber.

The New York State Senate today advanced legislation to strengthen abortion rights and ensure access to reproductive healthcare for all New Yorkers. The included legislation aims to further safeguard New Yorkers' reproductive health and privacy by: requiring companies that collect and sell healthcare information to receive affirmative consent by users to sell such information to third parties; allowing an alternative labeling option for prescribers of medication abortion prescription drugs; and prohibiting the use of  “restricted substances” in menstrual products. The package also includes legislation to establish educational and awareness programs related to women’s health including The New York State Abortion Clinical Training Program Act, The Public University Emergency Contraception Education Act and a Hormone Treatment Therapy for Menopause campaign through the Department of Health's Healthcare and Wellness Education and Outreach Program. Lastly, the package will expand access to abortion care by allowing pharmacists to administer contraceptive injections and require state contracts to include a clause that contractor health insurance plans include supplemental breast cancer screenings.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “This past November, New Yorkers made their voices loud and clear with the passage of Proposition 1. This landmark measure safeguarded the fundamental right to abortion access and enshrined equal rights and protections for everyone in our state constitution. Today, we are taking the next step in expanding protections for reproductive freedom, women’s health and privacy. We are ensuring that individuals seeking abortion care receive the support they need, that menstrual products are free from harmful substances, and that healthcare practitioners are equipped with the training necessary to provide essential reproductive services. From enhancing privacy protections for health information to empowering pharmacists to administer contraceptive injections, this legislation reflects our unwavering dedication to protecting the health, dignity, and rights of every individual in our state.”

Bill sponsor and Chair of the Women’s Issues Committee, Senator Lea Webb said, “I am extremely proud of the work we are doing in New York to protect women’s reproductive rights and ensure equitable access to women’s health care. Women deserve the highest quality care for their health at every stage of their lives, including access to period products, timely prenatal care, safe birthing experiences, comprehensive postpartum care, and access to healthcare professionals educated in the appropriate care for all stages of menopause. We know that these issues disproportionately impact people of color and rural communities, which often experience negative health outcomes. I thank the Senate Majority Leader for bringing forward this important package of legislation. This is another important and significant investment in New York’s fight for reproductive rights and an important step towards more equitable health care for women across our state.”
 

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