Photo Courtesy of Caroline Willis/Mayoral Photography Office
“The Dobbs decision may have been the Supreme Court’s latest attack on human rights and health care, but New York City will continue to be a safe haven for anyone seeking to access a safe, legal abortion,” said Mayor Adams.
By Forum Staff
City Mayor Eric Adams and City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan on Tuesday announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind Abortion Access Hub.
According to City officials, if financial assistance is needed in order to obtain an abortion, navigators will connect people seeking care to clinical partners to facilitate resources, including financial support for the procedure, transportation, and/or lodging. Callers who are eligible for Medicaid enrollment will be connected to providers who can enroll patients in Medicaid. Mayor Adams announced the hub in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization this past June that effectively overturned Roe v. Wade.
Funded with a $1 million investment, the hub will be staffed by New York City Abortion Access Hub navigators and managers Monday through Saturday, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Staff will include individuals who are bilingual in English and Spanish, and the nine most spoken languages and American Sign Language will be available to callers. Staff members have been trained on customer service, confidentiality, sexual and reproductive justice, and gender-inclusive services.
All calls are confidential and anonymous. No identifying information will be collected or recorded. Callers will be asked about their needs and preferences, such as preferred day of the week, location, and interest in medication abortion, as well as whether they need assistance with cost or insurance. Responses will help navigators determine caller needs for connection to resources offered by referral partners.
“The Dobbs decision may have been the Supreme Court’s latest attack on human rights and health care, but New York City will continue to be a safe haven for anyone seeking to access a safe, legal abortion,” said Adams. “Our City’s Abortion Access Hub will ensure anyone seeking an abortion will be connected to licensed providers across the five boroughs, as well as continue to access other resources and support. New York City will continue to respect, protect, and fulfill the core tenets of our fundamental right to choose, and will fight to ensure quality, affordable health care is accessible to all those who seek an abortion.”
Additionally, in response to the Dobbs Supreme Court decision in June, Adams signed multiple bills that strengthened abortion protections and made abortion medication free at all DOHMH clinics.
“New York City will not stand by passively when human rights are at stake,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Our city is a safe haven for so many, and we are proud to be the first in the nation to offer this type of service to people simply exercising their basic rights over their bodies and their health. When people’s liberties are threatened, our city will always stand on the side of health, human rights, justice, and care for those in need.”
“When we are in need, there are few things more comforting than knowing that we can reach out for resources and speak to someone on the other end of the line,” added Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom.
