Governor Hochul: New York State will be a “safe harbor” for all seeking abortion care

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted recently numerous steps New York is taking to protect access to abortion care, including medication abortion, following a federal court ruling that attempted to curb access to mifepristone, a drug that is used with another medicine, misoprostol, to end a pregnancy through ten weeks’ gestation.

“As we continue to witness anti-choice extremists restrict access to reproductive care like medication abortion in states across the nation, mifepristone remains legal and available here in New York,” Governor Hochul said.

“I am committed to ensuring abortion remains safe, accessible, and legal in our state and will always fight for New York to continue to be a safe harbor for those in need of reproductive care.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a ruling preventing doctors from prescribing mifepristone without an in-person visit and prohibiting this medication from being sent to patients through the mail.

The ruling does not immediately impact access to mifepristone, but the matter is expected to go before the U.S. Supreme Court in the coming months.

In June, Governor Hochul signed legislation to shield New York doctors, who prescribe medication abortion across state lines.

New York State Department of Health Secured 150,000 doses of medication abortion to prepare for increased need if Mifepristone is banned nationwide.

Governor established nation-leading $35 million abortion provider support fund to protect abortion access after Dobbs decision.

Governor Hochul image.