Advocates Promote Reproductive Health Act for New York

The Empire: Abortion Rights Groups Seek Cuomo's Support, by Karen DeWitt:

Abortion rights advocates promoting the Reproductive Health Act say they are counting on Governor Andrew Cuomo to help the bill become law this year.

The Reproductive Health Act, first introduced by former Governor Eliot Spitzer, would set in state law the right to accept or refuse contraception and the right to have a late-term abortion, if a doctor determines that the health of the mother is at risk. It was originally proposed as a clean up and expansion of New York’s original, first-in-the-nation 1970 law legalizing abortion.  Supporters say it would  guarantee a number of reproductive rights for women in New York should the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturn Roe v. Wade. . . .

The Legislative Gazette: NARAL, Clergy for Choice continue push for action on the Reproductive Health Act, by Alli Sofer:

The Reproductive Health Act received a push from supporters last week, with pro-choice advocates lobbying their legislators to back the bill.

NARAL Pro-Choice New York held its annual lobby day April 17, hoping to sway legislators and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to prioritize the Reproductive Health Act in the remaining time of this legislative session.

The Reproductive Health Act, sponsored by Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, and Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, D-Greenwich Village, would guarantee women the ability to make personal, private health care decisions, including the right to choose or refuse contraception and access to abortion care. The bill also treats regulation of abortion as a public health and medical issue instead of a criminal issue in state laws. . . .