Abortion Rights In New York State Post-Roe
Abortion rally in Washington Square Park, NY on June 24 after the Supreme Court oveturned Roe v. Wade. Source: Unsplash. Photo by Kaiyu Wu.
When Roe v. Wade was overturned on June 28, some Americans rejoiced while others wept. In New York State, abortion has been legal since 1970, three years before the Supreme Court's decision to legalize abortion across the country.
The latest ruling from the Supreme Court allows states to determine whether or not abortion will be legal. Before the court released its decision on Roe, 13 states had already passed “trigger laws” which went into effect immediately after the decision was overturned. Some of the states enacted near-total bans or laws prohibiting abortion after a certain number of weeks.
Despite a variety of bans across the country, the majority of Americans did not want abortion rights to be taken away. According to an NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist Poll 56% of Americans oppose the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe.
For many Americans, abortion has impacted them or someone they know. The Marist Poll found that 66% of Americans — including 70% of Democrats, 74% of independents, and 55% of Republicans say they have a personal connection to someone who has had an abortion.
So, what does the Supreme Court decision mean for New York?
While other states' abortion rights are under threat, Governor Kathy Hochul has been working to strengthen abortion rights across the state. Before the Supreme Court decision, Hochul signed a legislative package to protect the rights of patients and empower healthcare providers.
“I have three messages regarding the persistent assault on women's rights, and a woman's right to determine and make her own decisions about her own body,” Hochul said in a June 13 press conference. “And they are simple messages: Not here. Not now. Not ever.”
Not only is abortion access available for New York citizens, but people traveling from out of state can also receive care in the state. In addition, residents can get an in-clinic abortion or medication abortion after consulting with their healthcare provider.
According to the NY government website, people in the state can get an abortion up to and including 24 weeks of pregnancy. After 24 weeks, citizens can still get an abortion if their health or pregnancy is at risk.
“New York has always been a beacon for those yearning to be free,” Hochul said. “And I want the world to hear that that'll never change... Reproductive freedom is a basic human right. Let me say that again, a basic human right. It's a right that this state will defend with the full power vested within our state government.”
In addition to providing care options, New York also helps connect citizens with healthcare providers so people can get information on a variety of reproductive choices. Payment options for reproductive care vary throughout the state, but insurance, Medicaid and other resources are available to help cover costs.
When receiving care, abortion procedures and reproductive healthcare are confidential under New York State law. Healthcare professionals can’t disclose any information to anyone other than the patient without permission. The NY government website also provides mental health resources such as “Exhale” and “Shout Your Abortion” that people can access during any stage of the abortion process.
Despite Roe being overturned, New York has strengthened its abortion rights. For the time being, the state has ensured that people can make reproductive healthcare decisions that are right for them.