Governor Hochul: "This ruling is simply horrifying. And you just wonder, when will this stop? One year ago, women in this country had a constitutionally protected right to an abortion. Roe v. Wade was the law of the land for half a century. And within a couple of months from this time, we lost those rights...So, New York State has to step up as we did after the Dobbs decision..."

Hochul: "We're also concerned about the next phase. And I think they're going to be coming after the secondary drug, misoprostol... So, I have legislation that's going to the legislature Monday, and we'll be talking about requiring insurance companies to cover this as a drug that's used for abortion. So, we're trying to figure out all the different ways we can get ahead of this."

Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul joined CNN Newsroom with Fredricka Whitfield to discuss the federal court decision that seeks to restrict abortion access nationwide.

A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:

Fredricka Whitfield: Several states say they are stepping up their efforts to protect abortion access. Joining me right now on the phone is New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Governor, glad you could be with me. So first, you know, what is your reaction to this ruling handed down in Texas?

Governor Hochul: Well, this ruling is simply horrifying. And you just wonder, when will this stop? One year ago, women in this country had a constitutionally protected right to an abortion. Roe v. Wade was the law of the land for half a century. And within a couple of months from this time, we lost those rights. And now, the MAGA judges and the MAGA legislatures, the extremists in the Republican party, they just won't stop. And now they're coming after all other forms - medication provided abortions, which have been legalized, as you just reported, for over 20 years. So, New York State has to step up as we did after the Dobbs decision when we provided $35 million for providers to be able to ramp up their services in anticipation of more women coming to our state.

But this time, we're also concerned about the next phase. And I think they're going to be coming after the secondary drug, misoprostol, which is something that is used for ulcers. And I can see them now challenging this. And this is not as effective as the drug they overruled yesterday, but it's one that in New York, we want to make sure that that's available.

So, I have legislation that's going to the legislature Monday, and we'll be talking about requiring insurance companies to cover this as a drug that's used for abortion. So, we're trying to figure out all the different ways we can get ahead of this. But it is frustrating as a woman, the first governor of a state that had legalized abortion three years before Roe v. Wade. So, this is part of who we are as New Yorkers. These are rights we cherish, have always taken for granted. And this is an insult to all women, and it has to stop.

Fredricka Whitfield: And just last month, you sent a letter to the CEOs of several top pharmacies asking them to confirm in writing to you that their stores will offer mifepristone in your state. How, now, do you think those companies might be responding given this judge's new decision?

Governor Hochul: This is challenging for everyone. I spoke to the CEO of Walgreens who assured me that this drug would be available in New York State. I appreciated that. I appreciate the difficult situation they're in. But now this throws everything up in the air. And we'll have to wait and see what happens after the Biden administration - thank God we have Democrats in the White House that have the ability to appeal this decision and say, "How can one judge in Amarillo, Texas, think he knows more than all the scientists, the professionals, the doctors, the researchers at the FDA?" So, I'm glad the Biden administration came out so strong. I admire that we're standing shoulder to shoulder with them, and we're going to let people know that this has to stop.

Fredricka Whitfield: Voters in New York are set to decide soon whether to codify abortion rights in the state's constitution through a ballot initiative. So now with this federal judge's order in Texas, how might that impact that vote?

Governor Hochul: Well, the urgency is greater than ever before. We started this at a time when Roe v. Wade was still the law of the land. But we always thought there could be a day, especially after the Donald Trump administration and how he stacked the Supreme Court with extremist, anti-abortion judges who showed their true hand, despite what they said during the hearings, that they actually were trying to take away women's fundamental rights to have an abortion. So, we started the first step. We have to get it passed through two consecutive legislatures. We did it just a couple of months ago, and this will be on the ballot in 2024. And this will mobilize women all across the State of New York when we take back the House of Representatives, make sure that President Biden remains our president, and add even more senators to support Chuck Schumer, our majority leader. So, it comes down to how we are going to take back our nation. And it's going to start with the 2024 election.

Fredricka Whitfield: And Governor, I wonder if I could shift gears, because this was a big week in New York theater with the indictment of the former president. And I'm wondering if you could comment on how you are prioritizing protections for the Manhattan DA's office and its case against the former president, given that the former president, through his supporters and his attorneys, their strategy is to undermine that office and the case?

Governor Hochul: Well, it certainly is their strategy, and that case demonstrates that the law applies to everyone. The district attorney's office has brought many cases that are very similar to this fact pattern. People should not overlook that. And also, we did offer, I called the district attorney myself and said, if you need any protection, any assistance, the New York City Police Department, NYPD, are the finest in the world. They can handle this. But we wanted to show our support to the district attorney and his staff and his family if there's anything else they need from us.