Arguing that “the sky is on the verge of falling, literally” for pro-abortionists, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of bills into law protecting abortion providers in the state ahead of an expected Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson, a decision that may overturn Roe v. Wade, which once made abortion legal nationwide.
On Monday, Hochul signed six bills into law designed to build on legal protections for abortion providers and women seeking abortions in the state, as well as those residing in places where abortion is illegal.
The “nation-leading legislative package” signed by Hochul includes, according to her website, the following bills:
- S.9039A/A.10094A, “Establishes a Cause of Action for Unlawful Interference with Protected Rights,” aims at protecting the “rights” of individuals seeking abortion or “gender-affirming” procedures and medications and establishes a right to sue people who might inhibit access to such “services.”
- S.9077A/A.10372A, “Relates to Legal Protection for Abortion Service Providers,” provides certain legal protections for abortion providers, those who assist someone else in obtaining an abortion, and women who self-manage an abortion. That includes protection from extradition, arrest, and legal proceedings in other states relating to abortions performed in New York.
- S.9079B/A.9687B, “Prohibits Misconduct Charges Against Healthcare Practitioners for Providing Reproductive Health Services to Patients Who Reside in States Where Such Services Are Legal.” According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) quoted by NBC New York, out-of-state residents accounted for nearly nine percent — or 7,000 out of roughly 79,000 — of abortions performed in New York in 2019. “That’s up from 5% — or roughly 4,700 out of 93,000 — in 2015,” noted the outlet. The number is expected to substantially grow in 2022.
- S.9080B/A.9718B, “Prohibits Medical Malpractice Insurance Companies from Taking Adverse Action Against a Reproductive Healthcare Provider Who Provides Legal Care.”
- S.9384A/A.9818A, “Includes Abortion Providers and Patients in the Address Confidentiality Program,” which allows abortion providers, employees, volunteers, patients, and immediate family members of abortion providers to enroll in the address confidentiality program to protect themselves from threats.
- S.470/A.5499, “Authorizes a Study to Examine Unmet Health and Resource Needs and Impact of Limited Service Pregnancy Centers,” which directs the New York State Department of Health commissioner to conduct a study and issue a report examining the unmet health and resource needs facing pregnant women and the impact of “limited service pregnancy centers.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hochul stressed how she and her Democratic colleagues in the state Legislature and the Department of Health allocated a record $35 million to create the Abortion Services Provider Fund, of which $25 million will be spent on expanding abortion services and ensuring access to them for locals and those coming from other states.
“This is just the beginning,” added the governor. Back in May, Hochul said that she would “appreciate” it if President Joe Biden would send some federal tax money to support abortion in New York.
Another $10 million to be spent over the next five years is aimed at “protecting” abortion centers from “the threats of anti-abortion violence [as] the climate out there is just getting more extreme,” according to Hochul.
Notably, although not a single abortion center has been attacked in New York, pro-life organizations have. For example, on the night of June 6, CompassCare Pregnancy Services in Buffalo, New York, a pro-life center assisting women experiencing unplanned pregnancies, was firebombed. According to LifeAction.org, “the perpetrators spray painted the message ‘Jane was here,’ possibly referring to the pro-abortion group ‘Jane’s Revenge,’ which has vowed to unleash additional violence against pro-life groups.”
Not surprisingly, Hochul did not condemn the attack.
“Today, we are taking action to protect our service providers from the retaliatory actions of anti-abortion states and ensure that New York will always be a safe harbor for those seeking reproductive healthcare. New York has always been a beacon for those yearning to be free. And I want the world to hear — loud and clear — that will not change,” Hochul said on Monday, adding, “Look to New York for a nation leading response to this crisis.”
Conservative and religious groups condemned the measures.
LifeNews.com wrote in response to Hochul’s statement, “Imagine wanting to lead the nation in killing babies.”
The Catholic Diocese of Rochester posted a statement saying:
At a time when women and children need more support than ever, we are disappointed to see New York continue to focus on promoting abortion. This package of bills seeks to encourage abortion tourism, rather than helping women and children who may be in need. As a state that claims to value autonomy and choice, New York should stop presenting abortion as the best and only option for struggling women and harassing any pro-life pregnancy center that may help women keep their babies. This abortion-or-nothing narrative only demeans women.”
New York lawmakers enshrined Roe v. Wade into state law in 2019, and Hochul wants to make it a part of the state constitution, which she reaffirmed when speaking to the press on Monday.
According to a Politico report, Albany lawmakers tried to secure abortion rights in the state’s Constitution for many years, yet could not reach agreement on the final language. Hochul signaled the disputes won’t be fully resolved until 2023, meaning the earliest the measure could go before voters would be 2025.
