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Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul on Federal Court Decision that Further Seeks to Restrict Abortion Access Nationwide

Government and Politics

April 7, 2023

From: New York Governor Kathy Hochul

"I am horrified by a federal court ruling that seeks to restrict access to Mifepristone, a safe and effective form of abortion medication that has been used by more than five million people since the Food and Drug Administration approved it more than two decades ago. This unprecedented ruling not only overrides the FDA's evidence-based scientific approval process, it also alarmingly opens a new door to politicizing medicine.

"I want to be very clear: Regardless of today's ruling, abortion access and care is still available in New York. For anyone who needs care, our state will welcome you with open arms. Additionally, we are working with the federal government, governors, and partners across the country on solutions to prevent further infringement on care. I have also asked the legislature to consider actions to protect other medication abortion, including misoprostol, during current budget negotiations.

"In the wake of the leaked Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe last year, we took proactive steps to protect access to in-clinic care, including making a nation-leading $35 million investment to support abortion providers across the state, and signing a comprehensive legislative package to protect both abortion providers and their patients. Additionally in my proposed FY 2024 Executive Budget, I have proposed increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates and providing $25 million in support to providers, allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control, implementing data privacy protections, and expanding abortion access on SUNY and CUNY campuses.

"Today's ruling is further evidence that extremists will not just stop at stripping away the right to an abortion. Instead, they are actively working, against the will of a vast majority of Americans, to entirely dismantle reproductive health care nationwide. I will always fight - unafraid and undeterred - to make sure that New York is a safe harbor where abortion rights are protected, and abortion is safe and accessible."