N.Y. lawmakers eye expanding reproductive rights, access to birth control in wake of Supreme Court bombshell

ALBANY — The leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion that could spell the end of Roe v. Wade prompted promises from New York lawmakers to readdress reproductive rights and other issues impacting women.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) vowed Tuesday to take action in the coming weeks to strengthen abortion rights in the Empire State.

“I’m sure we will not be leaving here without doing additional work in terms of protecting, funding and ensuring that women have … full access to their rights,” Stewart-Cousins said.

[ Leaked draft of Supreme Court opinion strikes down Roe v. Wade abortion case ]

One bill gaining support in the Democrat-controlled Legislature would expand access to birth control by enabling pharmacists to prescribe and dispense self-administered contraceptives, including birth control pills, vaginal rings and patches.

The legislation, sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Westchester) and Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens), would allow pharmacists, licensed physicians, certified nurse practitioners and midwives to prescribe birth control.

Pharmacies are often more conveniently located than clinics or other providers, especially in rural areas, according to supporters and new data from Power to Decide, a nonprofit that advocates for reproductive freedoms, and George Washington University.

Pharmacists can already prescribe birth control in 24 states and the District of Columbia.

Supporters say it’s past time New York join that list.

“As the Supreme Court overturns Roe, New York must expand reproductive rights here in our state,” said New York Birth Control Action Fund Executive Director Jenna Bimbi. “The Birth Control Access Act would break down barriers to birth control by helping New Yorkers avoid costly doctor’s bills and making it easy to access birth control at their local pharmacies.”

[ Chief Justice Roberts orders investigation into leak of draft decision overturning abortion rights ]

Others measures under consideration include a bill that would establish a state abortion access fund and enable New Yorkers to donate to the fund through their income tax returns.

Another piece of legislation from Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) would protect providers by prohibiting law enforcement in New York from cooperating with anti-abortion states’ investigations regarding legal procedures.

Should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion rights in New York would still be protected by the Reproductive Health Act.

The 2019 measure codified Roe into state law and also allows a pregnancy to be terminated after 24 weeks if a woman’s life is in danger or the fetus is not viable. It allows a licensed or certified health care practitioner to perform abortions.

Gov. Hochul vowed Tuesday to protect women’s right to choose, whether they’re New York residents or not.

“We’re not playing defense, we’re playing offense,” Hochul said, promising a mix of legislative and executive actions in the coming weeks.

“My message to women all across this country is that the state of New York will always be there for anyone who needs reproductive health care, including an abortion,” she added.