Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman González-Rojas’s Office
“While we have had a long history of fighting for reproductive health here in New York, there is still a lot more to do and this legislation will take us one step further towards equity,” Assemblywoman González-Rojas said.
By Forum Staff
Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas (D-East Elmhurst) recently introduced legislation that mandates every New York insurance provider and every medical facility with maternity services to cover abortion care.
According to González-Rojas, it is essential that abortion is not only legal but affordable and accessible to individuals who need the service the most, like young, low-income women. Without these services, individuals with unwanted pregnancies may resort to cheap and dangerous methods that could potentially lead to injury or death. Sadly, unsafe abortions, which are procedures done by untrained people, or done in an environment lacking medical necessities, account for 1 in 12 maternal deaths globally. The World Health Organization claims that “almost every abortion death and disability could be prevented through sexuality education, use of effective contraception, provision of safe, legal induced abortion, and timely care for complications.” The current lack of accessible abortion in New York aids these unsafe conditions and denies the health and safety of many New Yorkers, González-Rojas added.
“Reproductive justice works towards a vision in which each and every individual has the social, political, and economic resources to make safe and informed decisions about their own bodies. People of all different races, genders, and sexual identities deserve the right to make their own choices on their reproductive health, and cost and insurance should not be a barrier to that. While we have had a long history of fighting for reproductive health here in New York, there is still a lot more to do and this legislation will take us one step further towards equity,” González-Rojas said.
The assemblywoman also noted that her bill is a direct response to “the hostility the federal government and a handful of states have towards abortion and ensures the active efforts currently being taken to exclude reproductive health care from insurance coverage, do not take place within New York.” According to González-Rojas, in 44 states, over 500 abortion restrictions have been introduced through March 2021; and currently, a Mississippi abortion law trying to restrict abortions after a 15 weeks is being taken to the Supreme Court. González-Rojas said her legislation is essential for the continual health of the state, and will hopefully act as an example for other states fighting for abortion access.
“Legality has never been enough. The right to abortion is a hollow promise when care is inaccessible,” said Robin Chappelle Golston, president & CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts. “We know individuals here in New York and across the country face barriers every day that prevent them from exercising their right to abortion care. No one should be forced to continue a pregnancy because they cannot afford the care they need. Abortion is health care, and as such, should be covered by your health insurance.”
Andrea Miller, president, National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund, added, “With threats to abortion access from across the country and the Supreme Court, New York needs everything in its power to solidify gains in advancing abortion access.”
