Planned Parenthood Celebrates Passage of RHA

POUGHKEEPSIE – This was a historic week in New York State.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said, “With the help of our partners in the Legislature, and with your support, we passed and wrote into law, rights and protections that make our state stronger and better.”

The governor was referencing several laws such as early voting, synchronizing federal and state primary elections, universal voter registration transfers, the Reproductive Health Act and closing the LLC Loophole, to name a few.

On Sunday, Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley (PPMHV), along with PPMHV staff, activists, and community members came together to publicly thank local elected officials following the passage of the Reproductive Health Act (RHA), Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act and the Boss Bill.

PPMHV President and CEO, Ruth-Ellen Blodgett started her comments by applauding the tireless efforts of activists who traveled many times to Albany, meeting with elected officials, and making their voices heard. “We want to remind people that this is healthcare that women and their families access every day,” she said. Those services include cancer screenings, STD tests, pelvic exams, men’s health screening and HIV services.

She also had praise for the elected officials. “We want to thank you for your votes and your hard work,” Blodgett said.

Freshman Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D-104), a lawyer, talked about the significance of the three bills that were enacted and what they mean. He called them timely, saying,

“Women should have the right, at all times, regardless of the politics of the moment, to control their own bodies.”

Senator Jen Metzger’s Chief of Staff Leslie Beriliant said the Senator was “proud to vote” for the bills, calling them “long awaited legislation.” She noted there is a, “fundamental belief a woman has rights over her own body,” and that withe these laws it has “enshrined a women’s right to choose.”

PPMHV Board Chair Helen Ullrich called upon those gathered to continue the work. “This is not the end,” she said. “It may be the beginning of the end of our work for reproductive rights, but we have a long way to go to ensure that women in every community in our state and across our country need to have access to the contraceptive of their choice and not the choice of the government.”

Assmeblymember Kevin Cahill, who was unable to attend the event, offered the following statement regarding the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act (A 585-A Cahill/S 659-A Salazar). “Last week we fulfilled the promise of generations in reproductive health. Thanks to the persistence and perseverance of important advocates like Planned Parenthood, we finally aligned our state abortion laws with the Supreme Court mandate in Roe v. Wade, once and for all making clear that reproductive health is not a criminal act. We also delivered on President Obama’s promise under the Affordable Care Act that family planning is basic health care.”