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Safeguarding abortion care in New York

On January 22, 2019, New York protected safe legal abortion in our state with the Reproductive Health Act (RHA). With Roe’s future jeopardized by a federal administration dedicated to reducing reproductive health care and a new anti-choice Supreme Court majority, the nation faced losing Roe’s protections and having abortion care determined by state law.

The RHA did 3 important things:

Recognizes that abortion is health care, not a crime by regulating abortion care under the public health law where it belongs.

Ensures our state law contains the same baseline constitutional protections of Roe v. Wade. Written prior to Roe, our state law protected women’s right to abortion care only when their life was endangered. Our law now reflects the protections under Roe, which ensures that women can access abortion care later in pregnancy when their life or health is at risk, and when the fetus is not viable.

Protects health care professionals who provide vital care. The RHA clarifies that qualified, licensed health care providers can provide early and safe abortion services within their expertise and training. Medical practice has changed significantly since 1970 and our law must reflect this.

More resources:

Politifact: What the RHA does and doesn’t do

The Hill: A reminder that the voice of the faithful is diverse, no one viewpoint should dominate all others

CNN: New York puts in measures to protect access to abortion even if Roe v. Wade is overturned

Don’t be fooled by the lies:

Learn more about the Reproductive Health Act

Abortion facts:

Abortion later in pregnancy is extremely rare - slightly more than 1 percent of abortions are performed at 21 weeks or later.

Learn more from those whose life experience included the need for this care and why they won’t be silent.

Be an ally:

Stop the lies. Know how to speak up about the RHA.

This page is controlled and operated by Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts.