Senate Acts to Protect Access to Reproductive Healthcare, Strengthen Privacy and IVF Coverage

Amending The Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Program: This bill, S.135, sponsored by Senator Cleare, would amend the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Program to provide practical support including reimbursement for travel, meals and lodging to individuals accessing abortion care.

Preventing a Conditional Requirement for Subsequent IVF Cycle Coverage: This bill, S.3155, sponsored by Senator Cooney, would prohibit commercial insurers from requiring women 35 or older to transfer all embryos from a previous IVF cycle as a condition of covering a subsequent cycle.

Restricting the Disclosure of Sensitive Health Information: This bill, S.1633A, sponsored by Senator Fernandez, would require electronic health record systems to allow patients to restrict the disclosure of their personal health information.

Establishing a Statewide Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health Program: This bill, S.5981, sponsored by Senator Fernandez, would establish a statewide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health program to ensure low-income, uninsured and underinsured New Yorkers can continue accessing affordable primary and preventive sexual and reproductive health services.

Advancing Equal Access to Fertility Care Act: This bill, S.4497, sponsored by Senator Hinchey, would require commercial insurance policies to cover fertility preservation services.

Exempting Certain Medication Abortion Drugs from Being Considered an Act of Criminal Diversion: This bill, S.8544, sponsored by Senator Hinchey, would exempt the prescription, dispensation, or receipt of a brand name or generic medication abortion drug from being considered an act of criminal diversion, provided the labeling of such drug was true and accurate at the time of manufacture, and provided such drug was recommended by World Health Organization guidelines for its prescribed purpose.

The New York State Abortion Clinical Training Program Act: This bill, S.1438A, sponsored by Senator Krueger, would establish a clinical training program through the Department of Health (DOH) for the purpose of training healthcare practitioners in the performance of abortion procedures and related reproductive healthcare services.

Prohibiting Using Certain Reproductive Health Decisions as Evidence: This bill, S.8860, sponsored by Senator May, would, in certain legal proceedings, prohibit the consideration of evidence that either parent has ever obtained or attempted to obtain reproductive health services relating to the termination of a pregnancy.

Permitting Omission of Certain Information on Labeling of Medication Abortion Prescription Drugs: This bill, S.8656A, sponsored by Senator Mayer, would allow pharmacists and prescribers filling prescriptions to exclude certain identifying information from the prescription labels of abortion medication.

Establishing The Equity in Fertility Treatment Act: This bill, S.8866, sponsored by Senator Salazar, would require certain health plans cover three completed donor egg retrievals for IVF with unlimited embryo transfers; prohibit plans from denying IVF coverage based on a consumer’s participation in fertility preservation services; and codify DFS guidance that requires coverage of IVF services for same-sex couples.

Requiring Coverage for Contraceptive-Related Pharmacist Services: This bill, S.8869, sponsored by Senator Skoufis, would require certain health insurance policies include coverage for services provided by pharmacists related to contraceptives.

Reimbursing FQHCs for Injectable Fertility Drugs: This bill, S.8257A, sponsored by Senator Sutton, would require the state to reimburse federally qualified health centers for injectable fertility drugs.

Authorizing Pharmacists to Administer Injections for Contraceptive Use: This bill, S.1703, sponsored by Senator Webb, would authorize pharmacists to administer injections for contraceptive use as prescribed by a licensed prescriber acting within the scope of their practice.

Requiring Emergency Contraception Availability at SUNY and CUNY: This bill, S.2058, sponsored by Senator Webb, would require each SUNY and CUNY institution to have at least one vending machine that sells emergency contraception.

Bill Sponsor Senator Cordell Cleare said, “Opportunity to access empowering health care is one step, but without the practical support to make such access manifest, the rights enshrined in our Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Program are incomplete. Fortunately, this legislation makes certain that those who need support to access care will receive it. In doing so, we will improve health outcomes for all those seeking reproductive care.”

Bill Sponsor Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “Every single New Yorker deserves access to high-quality reproductive healthcare. I’m proud that our state and my colleagues in the Senate Majority have continuously prioritized and fought for this care and that we are committed to continuing to lead the way. That’s why I sponsor my IVF legislation to give New Yorkers more options and better outcomes when looking to build a family, and why I continue to support the kind of reproductive care our community members deserve.”

Bill Sponsor Senator Nathalia Fernandez said, "My two pieces of legislation that are included in the Reproductive Rights and Freedom package (S.1633A & S.5981) are about ensuring that all New Yorkers can control their own personal health information and have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. We seek to put power back into the hands of patients while lowering the barriers for health services. A person’s income or job should not dictate whether or not they receive quality, necessary care."

Bill Sponsor Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Every New Yorker deserves the right to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions without fear or barriers. Our Mifepristone Access Act guarantees that medication abortion won’t suddenly vanish due to shifting federal rules, and makes clear that prescribing or using this safe, approved medication is not a crime. Our Expanding Equitable Access to Fertility Care Act will make New York one of the first states to require insurance coverage for egg freezing and storage, ensuring these life-changing medical advancements aren’t reserved for the wealthy but available to anyone deciding their future. I thank Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for bringing this package to the floor and my colleagues for their partnership in protecting, expanding, and making reproductive healthcare truly equitable across New York.”

Bill Sponsor Senator Liz Krueger said, "The Trump Administration is leading a full-on assault on Americans' fundamental rights and freedoms across the board, and reproductive rights are no exception. Although the many other excesses of this regime are grabbing the headlines, the long and methodical project of taking away women's bodily autonomy and access to essential reproductive health care has continued day in and day out. Those of us who are working to defend reproductive freedom must be equally tireless in our work, and I'm proud that the Senate Democratic Conference will move these critical bills to protect New Yorkers and all Americans who come to our state for care."

Bill Sponsor Senator Rachel May said, “The Senate Majority has consistently championed women’s healthcare and reproductive rights. This bill package reaffirms that commitment, ensuring women can make their own reproductive healthcare choices. I am proud that my bill (S.8860) is included, which prohibits considering reproductive health decisions from being used as a cudgel in custody proceedings. Reproductive healthcare is a private and complex decision, and that privacy must be respected. Thank you to Leader Stewart-Cousins and my colleagues in the Senate Majority for guaranteeing reproductive freedom for women across New York.”

Bill Sponsor Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am proud to sponsor legislation that strengthens New York State’s shield law to protect the courageous medical providers who provide reproductive care to women in hostile states. My bill, S.8656, builds on previously enacted legislation to protect both patients and providers by allowing pharmacists and health care providers dispensing abortion medication to exclude their name and address, the name and address of the patient, and the name and address of the pharmacy from the prescription label, offering additional privacy and safety for those providing and receiving care. New York will continue to be a leader and a fighter for women across state lines whose health and futures are under attack, and for the dedicated medical providers who are receiving real threats and legal attacks for practicing medicine within the scope of their practice. I thank Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her leadership, and my colleagues for their work to ensure that New Yorkers, and all Americans, have access to reproductive healthcare. Most of all, I thank the healthcare providers whose courage and commitment remind us that we must never back down from this fight.”

Bill Sponsor Senator Julia Salazar said, “LGBTQ+ New Yorkers deserve the same reproductive insurance coverage as all New Yorkers, yet they are being unfairly excluded due to an unintended loophole in State law. The Equity in Fertility Treatment Act will ensure that all New Yorkers who wish to become parents through IVF, and have the insurance coverage afforded by New York's 2019 legislation, will be able to do so.”

Bill Sponsor Senator James Skoufis said, “The right to make one's own decisions about abortion and contraception are fundamentally private health decisions. As American women watch their rights being stripped away in other states across the country, there's no better time to further protect reproductive rights here in New York. The legislation I carry would require state-regulated private insurance carriers to reimburse pharmacists for contraceptive care, helping address the OB-GYN shortages in many rural areas in particular. This comprehensive package of legislation is imperative and I'm proud to support it.”

Bill Sponsor Senator Sam Sutton said, “Patients should not be denied care because of cost. Protecting reproductive freedom must include expanding equitable access to fertility treatment, especially for low-income and underserved New Yorkers. I’m proud to see the inclusion of my bill, S.8257A, in this package, making sure that Federally Qualified Health Centers have the funding needed to offer the full range of fertility services to their patients enrolled in Medicaid.”

National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund President Christian LoBue said, “These policies form a powerful affirmation of bodily autonomy for people across New York State — patients seeking reproductive health care, providers working on the front lines, and people trying to start a family. By helping make abortion and associated costs like child care and meal assistance more affordable, improving access to contraception and medication abortion, and strengthening patient privacy, these proposals dismantle barriers that have long fallen hardest on people of color, LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, low‑income communities, and those navigating complex reproductive journeys. Together, they move New York closer to a future where reproductive health care is accessible, dignified, and free from discrimination.”

President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts Robin Chappelle Golston said, “New York has long been a leader in protecting reproductive freedom, and we need New York's leadership to continue to protect and strengthen our rights. As abortion access and bodily autonomy face relentless attacks across the country, these bills work to extend critical privacy protections and ensure that New Yorkers can access comprehensive reproductive and sexual health care, including abortion, contraception, fertility care without barriers or stigma. Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts applauds the Senate Majority for advancing policies that center patients, support providers, and protect healthcare information.”

Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union Donna Lieberman said, “As reproductive health care and gender justice face growing threats by the federal government, the Senate is centering the real needs of patients and providers. These proposals protect patient privacy, expand support for practical abortion care needs like travel and childcare, and ensure New York law does not aid federal efforts to restrict or punish medication abortion. Building on the promise of the Equal Rights Amendment, these bills are an important step toward keeping New York as a beacon of access for those seeking reproductive health care.”

Executive Director of The NY Birth Control Action Fund Jenna Bimbi said, “We’re grateful to Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins and the New York State Senate for their support of this package of critical reproductive health legislation. New York has fewer contraceptive providers per reproductive age-woman than most other states, ranking alongside Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, which has adverse impacts on both long-term health and economic prosperity for families. The legislation included in this package directly addresses this gap and proves that New York is taking every precaution to protect patients from the attacks on reproductive healthcare that we’re seeing across the country, while making New York more affordable.”

Center for Reproductive Rights State Legislative Counsel Elias Fox Bova Schmidt said, “Everyone deserves the right to make their own decisions about their reproductive futures. To meaningfully make these decisions, every person must be able to access abortion, contraceptive, and fertility care without unnecessary and harmful barriers. At a time when reproductive health care is under attack nationwide, we applaud New York for working to break down these barriers, including by creating privacy protections for abortion providers and patients and expanding fertility care insurance coverage. This broad package of bills will help make reproductive freedom for all New Yorkers a reality.”