Assembly Health Committee Holds Back Anti-Choice Bills; Reproductive Health Act Now Urged

ALBANY, NY (06/04/2010)(readMedia)-- Pro-choice members of the state's Assembly Health Committee today upheld New York's pro-choice policies by beating back three anti-choice bills that would have put the health and safety of the state's women at risk. This action reflects the pro-choice values of the Assembly and the majority of New Yorkers. Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood now calls on lawmakers to pass the Reproductive Health Act.

"Today is another clear example of lawmakers taking action that reflects New Yorkers' pro-choice values," said UHPP President/CEO Patricia McGeown. "As a leader in providing access to comprehensive reproductive health care services, New York now needs to pass the Reproductive Health Act."

In 1970, New York was one of the first states in the nation to permit safe and legal abortion, greatly reducing maternal death. However, New York's law is outdated and inadequate. It allows for abortion only if the mother's life is in danger. There is no provision for protecting her health. New York has to rely on the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade to provide access to abortion care if a woman's health is at risk during pregnancy.

Women can experience a host of complications during pregnancy and, sometimes, as a result of pregnancy. These health threats include preeclampsia, stroke, infertility, placenta previa, kidney failure and more. Every situation is different and it is important that a woman's health care provider is able to use his or her best medical judgment to make the determination if a pregnant woman's health is at risk and help her decide the best course of treatment.

"New York needs a health exception in its law so that health care providers are not hindered by conflicts between the state's statute and federal case law and so that women's health is not at risk," said McGeown.

The Reproductive Health Act also would move the regulation of abortion out of the penal code, where it has been since before 1970, and into the public health code where every other medical practice is governed. And, it would prevent any mandatory imposition of contraception to women of New York by regulation or judicial ruling.

States in other parts of the country have passed laws hindering abortion care and jeopardizing women's health and safety. UHPP urges passage of the Reproductive Health Act here in New York to make certain that a woman and her health care provider can protect her health during pregnancy.

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Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP) is a community-based non-profit organization providing advocacy, education and medical services for reproductive health care since 1934. In 2009, over 14,000 patients made 24,975 visits to UHPP health centers located in Albany, Hudson and Troy. UHPP health educators present over 300 education programs reaching over 5,000 youth and young adults. UHPP services are delivered with special concern for the underserved.