Reproductive Rights
Action Center
Clinic Access Bill Victory! On April 2, the New York City Council voted by an overwhelming majority to pass the Clinic Access Bill, a major step towards protecting access to reproductive health care in New York City. The bill strengthens the previous law that criminalizes the blocking of clinic entrances and exits by clarifying what activities are prohibited, making it easier to prosecute violators, and protecting doctors and patients from harassment and violence, while still allowing for peaceful gatherings and protests. NOW-NYC testified in support of the Clinic Access Bill in November, 2008.
Take Action: Thank your Council Member for his or her support or express your disappointment that he or she voted against it. Find your Council Member here. ..................................................................................... Obama Moves to Overturn Bush's HHS Rule:
We Need Your Support to Make this Happen!
On February 27th, the Obama administration began the process of overturning the controversial new Department of Health and Human Services Refusal Regulation. Pushed through by the Bush administration in one of its final acts in office, the "conscience" rule cuts federal funds to all states and hospitals that refuse to hire doctors and nurses who object to abortion. This restrics women's access to abortion, contraception, and other basic reproductive services; forces health clinics receiving federal money to hire staff that opposes abortion; enables pharmacies to refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control; and interferes with state laws requiring emergency contraception for rape survivors in hospital emergency rooms.
While the Obama administration's announcement is a major victory, there is still work to be done. Before the rule can be rescinded, it will be subject to a period of public comment. It is critical that you notify the administration that you are in favor of Obama's proposal. We have thirty days to show our support for women's reproductive rights and to ensure that patients have the right to receive complete and accurate health information and services, without fear that health care providers will withhold vital information and services based on their personal biases. Take Action: Submit Your Own Comment Learn More: National NOW Press Release | Washington Post Article Background: New York Times Article | National NOW Press Release ..................................................................................... Help Pass the Reproductive Health Act in New York State Defend Women's Reproductive Rights and Help Pass the Reproductive Health Act!
New York State's abortion law was created before Roe v. Wade and has not changed since. Though groundbreaking for its time, the law needs serious revisions to bring women's healthcare into the 21st century. Now that the Supreme Court has actively restricted our abortion rights, it is urgent that we change New York law to protect the health of women. Since there is currently no explicit, affirmative right to an abortion written into New York state law, we can no longer rely on federal constitutional law to ensure our rights. And, if Roe is overturned, there will be no protection at all for women's health after 24 weeks. You can help to pass the Reproductive Health Act by reaching out to your legislators and asking them to support choice! Find out how to get in touch with your representatives below.
Fact Sheet | RHA Brochure | Letter for Your Representative | NOW-NYC Memo of Support
Find Your State Assembly Member | Find Your State Senator ..................................................................................... Support the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling to ban a specific type of medical procedure for abortions, federal legislation has been introduced: the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). The law would codify women's reproductive freedom, taking it out of the hands of the politically motivated Supreme Court. The law would also override the recent Carhart decision, which upheld bans that prohibit the most commonly used and safest abortion procedure after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Why are the following NYC Representatives not on board? Call or write today and let them know that they are not standing up for our rights! Facts on FOCA Does your Representative Support FOCA?
Find out at our Urgent Action Center Hall of Shame
..................................................................................... NOW-NYC Denounces High Costs of EC, Calls on Pharmacies to Lower Price The price of Emergency Contraception, commonly referred to as "Plan B," at New York City pharmacies has reached an alarming peak, prompting NOW-NYC to call on pharmacy chains, including CVS, Duane Reade and Walgreens, to reduce their inflated costs. NOW-NYC's Reproductive Rights Committee crisscrossed the five boroughs and found prices as high as $50 at some local pharmacies. Read more...
NOW-NYC calls on pharmacies to consider the positive impacts of a more affordable "Plan B," and to take action by lowering the price. Learn More! Read the City Council's report.
Take Action! Contact your pharmacy's corporate headquarters.
..................................................................................... Your Health: Get the Facts Plan B or Emergency Contraception
The Abortion Pill: RU486
Glossary of Choice
More Fact Sheets Coming Soon!
..................................................................................... Join our Reproductive Rights Action Committee Women's access to comprehensive reproductive resources and services is under attack, impeding our right to health and reproductive freedom. NOW-NYCs Reproductive Rights Project works to expand and protect women's reproductive autonomy, ensuring that abortion services remain safe, legal and accessible, and support pro-reproductive rights legislation. We oppose attempts to restrict these rights through legislation, regulation or Constitutional amendments. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP and confirm attendance, please email contact@nownyc.org. A woman's autonomy over her own body is a fundamental human right, and women must have access to full and accurate medical information regarding their reproductive health, as well as the ability to obtain reproductive health services to ensure that this right is protected. Toward this mission, we have an active Reproductive Rights Project that aims to: • Promote and deliver a multi-faceted public education campaign on key reproductive health issues • Advocate for and support legislation that expands women's reproductive health choices • Ensure and protect access to birth control, emergency contraception, and the HPV vaccine • Advocate for a judiciary that will fairly interpret the law with regard to women's reproductive freedom NOW-NYC is on MySpace! myspace.com/nycnow
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