Planned Parenthood Supporters Turn Out to Rally

ALBANY – On Tuesday, March 13, despite the weather derailing travel plans, 1,000 reproductive health and rights advocates, patients and supporters from around the state were able to get to Albany today demonstrating that New Yorkers stand up and stand strong for reproductive health care. Activists heard from government leaders and advocates including Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose proposed Executive Budget includes Women’s Agenda provisions which would make a real difference in the health, safety, economic security and equality of women and girls.

Advocates made it clear that lawmakers must not cut women and girls out of the budget as our health and rights are non-negotiable. New Yorkers need the Women’s Agenda and full funding for the state’s Family Planning Grant which connects uninsured and underinsured individuals with essential services including well-woman exams, contraception, pregnancy testing, prenatal and postpartum care, health education, abortion, treatment and counseling for sexually transmitted infections, HIV testing and prevention counseling, as well as breast and cervical cancer screening.

“We can’t build a future for our state’s women and girls without putting a strong foundation in place,” said Robin Chappelle Golston, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts “While the federal government continues to step backward on our health care, New York fights forward with the Women’s Agenda. New Yorkers won’t settle for less!”

Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund:
Planned Parenthood health centers serve 2.4 million patients across the country, and we’re fighting for access to sexual and reproductive health care for everyone whose basic health and rights have come under threat in the past year. New York State sets an example for how to expand health care access and improve the wellbeing of women; I thank the Governor and legislators who are fighting alongside us.

We’ve already seen the power of an incredible grassroots movement that’s growing across the country. It defeated health care repeal and helped to keep Planned Parenthood’s doors open. But it’s not enough to be on defense – so we’re going on offense. Improving access to birth control, decriminalizing abortion, working to lower maternal mortality rates, and building better sex education programs are all critical components of bolstering women’s health, and I’m proud to be in Albany today advocating for these initiatives.

Activists also spent the afternoon lobbying their elected representatives in support of the following Women’s Agenda provisions:

* Decriminalizing Abortion: Repeal abortion from the NYS penal code so that abortion, like all other medical procedures, is regulated by the Public Health and Education Law.

* Improving Access to Contraception: With ongoing federal attempts to roll back the ACA’s coverage mandate, our state must ensure consistent and affordable coverage.

* Preventing Maternal Mortality: Establish a Maternal Mortality Review Board to develop strategies to reduce the unacceptably high rate of maternal mortality.

* Advancing Comprehensive Sex Education: Require the State Education Commissioner to establish a “Be Aware-Be Informed” program to help students establish healthy relationships and to create model comprehensive sex education curriculum.

As the Legislature and Governor prepare to negotiate the final budget, advocates were vocal in their call to include the Women’s Agenda in the final budget.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul:
“During my entire career in government, I have never waived from my commitment to a women’s right to choice and to the mission of Planned Parenthood. We refuse to allow dangerous factions in Washington to roll back our rights, and New York continues to lead the fight to protect a woman’s right to safe, reproductive health care.”

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli:
“These are challenging days, with the President and both houses of Congress seeking to undermine women’s reproductive rights,” State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said.

“Denigrating women and attacking access to sexual and reproductive health services is wrong. Together, we will speak louder and work harder to fight their extreme agenda and stand behind Planned Parenthood and support women’s right to all health services.”

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie:
“The landmark Roe v. Wade decision underscored what we in New York have always held to be true: a woman’s body is neither the property of others nor a political arena. But more than ever, it is clear that longstanding federal protections and funding are in jeopardy. The Assembly majority will continue fighting for both funding for critical women’s healthcare programs, as well as for women’s right to make their own decisions regarding reproductive choice and family planning.”

Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins:
“New York State has been a national leader in the fight for women’s rights and equality. With what is happening in Washington, our state must again step up and serve as an example to the nation in the fight for women’s health care rights. The Senate Democrats are proud to stand with Planned Parenthood to demand action, and we will continue to fight for women’s rights, protections, and equality.”

Rachael Phelps MD, Medical Director, Planned Parenthood of Central & Western New York:
“Reproductive rights are basic human rights and family planning is basic health care. When it comes to access to reproductive health care, Planned Parenthood is a beacon for women and New York State is a beacon for the country, and we are fighting to keep it that way.”

Sunny Soroosh, RN, MPH Registered Nurse Coordinator, Planned Parenthood New York City
“As a clinician at Planned Parenthood of New York City, I know that access to a full range of sexual and reproductive health care services helps people live healthy, empowered lives and plan their own futures. Unfortunately, this access is under attack today like never before.

We’re here today to fight back and to say—not in New York. As the Trump-Pence administration and Congress try to roll back our rights, we’re going to fight back by making sure access to birth control, abortion, and health care in general is as strong as it can possibly be in every corner of our state.”

Jaime Benner, Patient and Activist:
“Cancer can happen to anyone, from single mothers in medically underserved areas like Northern New York to the politicians who walk the halls of congress. That’s why I’m fighting to make sure other women can continue to go to Planned Parenthood to get the care they need.”

Erika Christensen, Advocate:
“New York’s outdated, unconstitutional abortion law forces patients to carry non-viable pregnancies and pregnancies that threaten their health. I had to fly to Colorado to terminate a non-viable pregnancy at 32 weeks. New York State must decriminalize abortion so others in similar situations can receive care in-state, without shame or apology.”

Senator Brad Hoylman:
“In the face of the Trump Administration’s concerted effort to roll back reproductive rights, New York must stand up for women’s access to the healthcare they need. That means codifying Roe v. Wade into New York State law and guaranteeing access to affordable contraception for all New Yorkers. I am thankful to Planned Parenthood for a century of leadership and I’m thrilled to welcome hundreds of New Yorkers to our state capitol to advocate for these essential human rights during today’s Day of Action.”