Photo of State Senator Shelley Mayer and advocates for Choice at the State Capital. Courtesy of New York State Senate Photography
| State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am proud to stand with reproductive rights advocates, healthcare providers, and my colleagues as we reaffirm New York’s unwavering commitment to protecting women in our state and across the country from the aggressive and hostile attacks on their reproductive freedom. The Supreme Court made clear in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, when it overturned nearly fifty years of precedent under Roe v. Wade, that decisions regarding abortion access would be left to the states. Now, we are seeing Louisiana try to force their ideology on other states, among other coordinated and aggressive attacks on states that protect reproductive freedoms. “I am proud to sponsor legislation, alongside Assemblymember Karines Reyes, to redouble our efforts and build on shield laws and protections to ensure women in New York, and across the country, can continue to access safe, legal, and essential healthcare in a post-Roe America. While the Supreme Court’s decision preserves access to medication abortion through telehealth while the case filed by Louisiana plays out in the lower courts, the fight is clearly far from over. We must act – as we have – to ensure our patients and providers are protected.” Julie Kay, Founder and CEO of Reproductive Futures, said, “Last week was a reminder of what we already know: women are depending on New York lawmakers to make sure telemedicine abortion is protected within our state, and nationwide, as anti-abortion forces in Louisiana and elsewhere try to curtail our rights. Next up, the FDA’s leadership could be moving toward putting anti-abortion politics ahead of science in seeking to curtail access to proven-safe medications like mifepristone. New York now has the opportunity to continue its historic leadership protecting reproductive rights. I urge the Governor to sign S8544/A9217 into law, and for the Assembly to pass S8656A/A10428, so that every patient in New York can access the privacy protections they deserve now and for the future.” “Jewish texts and teachings value the life and health of a pregnant person and support reproductive freedom and abortion access. National Council of Jewish Women New York urges passage of S.8656A/A.10428 because at a time when medication abortion and reproductive healthcare are under attack across the country, protecting patient privacy has never been more important,” said Andrea Salwen Kopel, Executive Director of NCJW NY. “We are deeply grateful to Senator Shelley Mayer and Assemblymember Karines Reyes for championing this important legislation and helping ensure that New York remains a leader and a haven for safe, confidential reproductive healthcare.” “Patients seeking abortion care are facing intensely personal, difficult decisions. Theyrisk harassment from abortion opponents and even life-threatening violence fromintimate partners,” said Dr. Mary Applegate, a public health physician in Albany County. “This bill offers a practical safeguard. Allowing the use of a pseudonym on prescription labels can be a matter of life and death.” Nikita Kakkad, a representative of the Medical Students for Choice NYC Coalition, said, “As a medical student, I have the privilege of not only participating in abortion care, but working alongside incredible physicians who work to provide compassionate, thoughtful care to patients seeking to make decisions about their reproductive futures on their own terms. Allowing the use of a pseudonym on prescription labels ensures that the medications can reach the correct recipient safely but without exposing their information to legislators looking to criminalize abortion and harassment from members of their community or violent partners.” Dr. Cheryl Anne Frye, PhD, said, “Patient privacy is deeply connected to health, safety, and the ability to seek care without fear or intimidation. When patients are concerned that sensitive reproductive health care information could be exposed, it can create enormous psychological stress and anxiety. For some patients, especially those in abusive or controlling situations, that fear is very real and can place them at risk of emotional harm, coercion, or violence.” Lex Korberg, Executive Director of Her Justice, said, “Her Justice supports this common-sense patient privacy legislation because we have seen how reproductive healthcare decisions can become a flashpoint for abuse, coercion, and surveillance. As we know from our work with survivors, pregnancy is often a period of heightened vulnerability for women in abusive relationships. Allowing patients to protect their identities when accessing abortion medication is a safeguard that can reduce risks of harassment, criminalization, and abuse. This is especially critical for people who already face systemic barriers to safety and healthcare, like people of color and those living in poverty. Every person deserves the ability to make healthcare decisions without fear that seeking care will put their safety or well-being at risk.” “Protecting access to abortion means safeguarding patients’ privacy, safety, and ability to access care without fear,” said Robin Chappelle Golston, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts. “We are proud to stand with the National Council of Jewish Women, Senator Shelley Mayer, Assemblymember Karines Reyes, and our partners in support of this important legislation. As attacks on reproductive freedom escalate nationwide, New York must continue to lead by strengthening protections for patients and providers so that no one is put at risk.” Senator Michelle Hinchey, said, “In New York and across our country, we are seeing escalating attempts to criminalize medicine, scare doctors away from their patients, and scare patients away from accessing the healthcare they need. No matter the attacks we face from states trying to strip away these rights, we will do everything we can to protect reproductive freedom in New York. I thank Senator Shelley Mayer for sponsoring this vital legislation to safeguard the privacy of New York’s healthcare providers and patients.” “The Supreme Court’s decision to protect access to Mifepristone while this case proceeds is an important first step, but attacks on reproductive health continue to create fear and uncertainty for patients and providers,” said Senator John C. Liu. “ New York must continue to lead the way as champions of reproductive rights by ensuring privacy protections for patients and providers using Mifepristone through telehealth. Many thanks to Senator Shelley Mayer and Assembly Member Karines Reyes for fighting for these critical protections for women across our state.” “New York must continue protecting patients and providers as attacks on reproductive healthcare escalate across the country. This legislation strengthens privacy protections for those accessing and providing medication abortion care and helps ensure New Yorkers can seek lawful healthcare safely, privately, and without fear,” said Senator Jessica Ramos. Assemblymember Mary Jane Shimsky said, “At a time when abortion access is under attack in courts and legislatures across the country, New York can lead the way by ensuring the privacy of those seeking and dispensing mifepristone and misoprostol. This legislation creates new protections for patients and providers, while preserving accountability through secure, record-keeping requirements. It is an important step in the fight for our fundamental right to make personal medical decisions safely and securely.” |