As federal actions continue to threaten access to reproductive health care nationwide, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced that the New York State Senate is advancing legislation to protect reproductive rights, strengthen patient privacy, and expand fertility and IVF coverage.
The legislative package moved forward as New Yorkers marked the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, underscoring the need for continued action to protect rights that many once believed were secure.
“Access to reproductive health care is an essential right for New Yorkers,” said Stewart-Cousins. “As we reflect on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that protecting this right requires constant vigilance. This legislative package demonstrates the State Senate’s continued commitment to protecting New Yorkers’ rights to accessible and safe reproductive health care.”
The advanced measures would expand support for local providers and nonprofit organizations that help patients access care, including assistance with travel and related costs. The legislation would also address barriers to fertility treatment by strengthening insurance coverage, protecting access to medication abortion, expanding contraceptive access through local pharmacies, and safeguarding sensitive medical information. Together, these reforms are designed to ensure that New Yorkers can access reproductive and fertility care safely, privately, and close to home.
The legislation advanced under Stewart-Cousins’ leadership includes:
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Amending The Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Program: would amend the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Program to provide practical support including reimbursement for travel, meals and lodging to individuals accessing abortion care.
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Preventing a Conditional Requirement for Subsequent IVF Cycle Coverage: would prohibit commercial insurers from requiring women 35 or older to transfer all embryos from a previous IVF cycle as a condition of covering a subsequent cycle.
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Restricting the Disclosure of Sensitive Health Information: would require electronic health record systems to allow patients to restrict the disclosure of their personal health information.
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Establishing a Statewide Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health Program: would establish a statewide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health program to ensure low-income, uninsured and underinsured New Yorkers can continue accessing affordable primary and preventive sexual and reproductive health services.
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Advancing Equal Access to Fertility Care Act: would require commercial insurance policies to cover fertility preservation services.
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Exempting Certain Medication Abortion Drugs from Being Considered an Act of Criminal Diversion: would exempt the prescription, dispensation, or receipt of a brand name or generic medication abortion drug from being considered an act of criminal diversion, provided the labeling of such drug was true and accurate at the time of manufacture, and provided such drug was recommended by World Health Organization guidelines for its prescribed purpose.
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The New York State Abortion Clinical Training Program Act: would establish a clinical training program through the Department of Health (DOH) for the purpose of training healthcare practitioners in the performance of abortion procedures and related reproductive healthcare services.
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Prohibiting Using Certain Reproductive Health Decisions as Evidence: would, in certain legal proceedings, prohibit the consideration of evidence that either parent has ever obtained or attempted to obtain reproductive health services relating to the termination of a pregnancy.
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Permitting Omission of Certain Information on Labeling of Medication Abortion Prescription Drugs: would allow pharmacists and prescribers filling prescriptions to exclude certain identifying information from the prescription labels of abortion medication.
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Establishing The Equity in Fertility Treatment Act: would require certain health plans cover three completed donor egg retrievals for IVF with unlimited embryo transfers; prohibit plans from denying IVF coverage based on a consumer’s participation in fertility preservation services; and codify DFS guidance that requires coverage of IVF services for same-sex couples.
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Requiring Coverage for Contraceptive-Related Pharmacist Services: would require certain health insurance policies include coverage for services provided by pharmacists related to contraceptives.
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Reimbursing FQHCs for Injectable Fertility Drugs: would require the state to reimburse federally qualified health centers for injectable fertility drugs.
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Authorizing Pharmacists to Administer Injections for Contraceptive Use: would authorize pharmacists to administer injections for contraceptive use as prescribed by a licensed prescriber acting within the scope of their practice.
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Requiring Emergency Contraception Availability at SUNY and CUNY: would require each SUNY and CUNY institution to have at least one vending machine that sells emergency contraception.
