Your right to an abortion is protected in New York State.
Abortion has been legal in New York since 1970 – three years before the Roe v. Wade decision permitted abortion throughout the country. In 2019, New York's Reproductive Health Act further strengthened abortion rights. With these protections in place, any federal decisions to limit access to abortion will not impact abortion rights in New York, and Governor Hochul is taking action to keep abortion safe, affordable, and available to all who need.
2023 State of the State Actions
In her 2023 State of the State, Governor Hochul announced new actions to solidify New York’s status as a safe harbor for all who seek abortion care:
Expanding Access to Reproductive Health Care in New York State and Nationwide
On March 19, 2024, Governor Hochul joined New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald at College Parkside Pharmacy in Albany to sign a standing order authorizing pharmacists to dispense three types of hormonal contraception medication without a prescription.
On February 20, 2023, Governor Hochul joined 20 other states in forming the Reproductive Freedom Alliance. The Alliance is a non-partisan coalition of 21 Governors committed to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom in their states.
On May 10, 2022, Governor Hochul announced a nation-leading, $35 million investment in direct support to reproductive health care providers to expand abortion access and ensure patient, provider, and staff safety. This groundbreaking new fund builds on a series of legislative and regulatory efforts to expand access to the full range of reproductive health services.
On May 6, 2022, Governor Hochul urged the federal government to take action to guarantee the right to an abortion in federal law. Governor Hochul has appealed to Congressional leadership to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), eliminate the discriminatory Hyde Amendment, and protect access to telehealth abortion services across the country.
In the 2023 budget, Governor Hochul enshrined into law a requirement that health plans in New York must cover abortion services, without co-pays or deductibles.
Her 2023 budget also expanded the Family Planning Grant Program, maintaining state funding for reproductive health services as New York reenters the federal Title X program. Federal dollars provide $11.8 million, bringing the overall program to over $50 million.
The Governor is also prioritizing measures to reduce racial disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity, including:
On June 23, 2023, Governor Hochul signed legislation (S.1066B/A.1709B) into law to strengthen access to reproductive health care and protect patients and doctors who require abortion care through telehealth services. This legislation expands the current law to ensure doctors, medical providers, and facilitators in the state are able to provide telehealth services to patients outside of New York without fear of litigation in states where abortion services are outlawed or restricted.
On May 2, 2023, Governor Hochul signed key legislation to expand access to reproductive health care across the state and solidify New York's historic standing as the nation's first Safe Harbor State. The Governor signed legislation (A1060-A/S1043-A) to expand access to hormonal contraception by making it available over the counter, particularly assisting marginalized populations who may not have a primary care provider, but do have access to a local pharmacy. The Governor also signed legislation (A1395-C/S1213-B) to ensure that every student enrolled in a SUNY or CUNY college has access to medication abortion on campus.
On June 13, 2022, Governor Hochul signed into law a package of six bills to immediately protect the rights of patients and reproductive healthcare providers in anticipation of a final decision by the Supreme Court on abortion access. The legislation takes specific actions to address a variety of legal concerns facing providers and patients.
On May 3, 2022, Governor Hochul signed new legislation to further advance medical rights here in New York, ensuring health policy is protected by experts in women’s health, and not by politics.
In January 2022, under Governor Hochul’s direction, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) finalized regulations to ensure that our abortion law in New York is aligned with clinical standards, provides a safe and non-stigmatizing experience for patients, and that providers can offer abortion telehealth services without unnecessary barriers.
DOH operates an Abortion Access Working Group, which meets regularly with a panel of providers, patients, advocates, and other stakeholders to guide state policy and immediately respond to on-the-ground needs. DOH also issued guidance to providers to make sure they feel confident operating under the clear parameters of New York state law.