Will New York Embrace Abortion Rights?

photo: right, Councilmember Helen Rosenthal listens to concerns of woman at hearing. Credit: Michelle Ayr

By: Michelle Ayr

 

On Thursday, members of the New York City Council Committee on Women appealed to the New York State Legislature to pass, and Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign, the Reproductive Health Act.

The Reproductive Health Act (RHA) would give women the right to choose to terminate a pregnancy after 24 weeks. The RHA would also increase access to terminations by allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to perform them, rather than only doctors. It would also annul the penal laws against self-termination, and would override the 12-week limit on termination.

Helen Rosenthal, Chair of The New York City Council’s Committee on Women,  said, “Reproductive rights are fundamental to an individual’s control over their own life, and are therefore crucial to achieving gender equality.” Rosenthal expressed a “very real concern” that New Yorkers will lose the fight for gender equality, if women do not have the right to decide on terminations.

“Last year, nineteen states adopted 63 different restrictions on abortion rights and access,” said Public Advocate Letitia James. “Fifty eight percent of women in the United States currently live in states that are either hostile or extremely hostile towards their abortion rights.”

In 1973’s Roe v. Wade decision, the Supreme Court effectively gave women the right to abort. The Court found that a state law in Texas, which did not allow abortions unless they were to protect the life of the mother, violated Constitutional rights.

The Supreme Court later affirmed the Roe v. Wade privilege and stood by its contentions that states do not have the authority to forbid termination before the third trimester.

Present New York state abortion law defines abortion as illegal if not done before the 24th week of the pregnancy. In cases where a woman dies due to the termination, a class B crime has been committed by the doctor, according to state law.

In the current Trump era there are special concerns.

This July, federal Judge Brett Kavanaugh was chosen by President Donald Trump to fill an opening on the Supreme Court. Because Kavanaugh does not believe that the Roe v. Wade is “settled law,” according to the New York Times, there is a good chance he will be ready to limit women’s rights to terminate.

James became very emotional during the conference saying. “This act empowers young girls and women to choose methods, including abortions,” she said. “These decisions should be made by a woman, her doctor, and whatever God she chooses to pray to or even if she chooses not to pray to any God. It’s basically a personal decision, not a decision left to this illegitimate President or to this illegitimate Supreme Court nominee.”

Rebecca Donn, Director of Quality Management at Planned Parenthood of New York City said, “In the face of attacks on reproductive health across the country, New York must stand up as a leader and ensure that all people are able to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families here in New York and for those who may have to come here to seek care.”

The State Advocacy Advisor at the Center for Reproductive Rights, Ashley Gray, said,  “Removing abortion from the criminal code is a crucial step in recognizing that abortion is healthcare, not a crime.”

Heidi Sieck, CEO and Co-Founder of #VOTEPROCHOICE, said, “Women’s lives are at risk. Families are being traumatized. We’ve waited years and years and years for this to be passed — there is so much at stake to wait for another moment.”