Res. No. 143
Resolution strongly urging the New York State Legislature to immediately pass the New York State Reproductive Health Act.
By Council Members Brewer, Barron, Chin, Comrie, Crowley, Dromm, Ferreras, James, Koppell, Lander, Mark-Viverito, Palma, Reyna, Rodriguez, Rose, Nelson, Lappin and Garodnick
Whereas, New York State was one of the first states in the nation to support the reproductive rights of women by pioneering legislation that decriminalized abortion in 1970; and
Whereas, This legislation was groundbreaking and crucial in ensuring the reproductive health and freedom of American women; and
Whereas, In 1973, the United States Supreme Court legalized abortion throughout the country with the Roe v. Wade decision; and
Whereas, Since 1973, many states have passed laws limiting women's ability to access the procedure; and
Whereas, A 2007 Supreme Court decision upheld an abortion restriction which did not include provisions for consideration of the risk to the health of pregnant women wishing to acquire a late-term abortion; and
Whereas, This decision threatens the medical safety of women and removes options for women and their doctors facing life and death situations; and
Whereas, Reproductive health is an important component of women's overall health, and reproductive freedom is equally important to women's safety and well-being; and
Whereas, The Reproductive Health Act was first introduced in the New York State Senate in 2007 as S. 6045A and then again on June 5, 2009 as S. 5808; and
Whereas, The Reproductive Health Act would protect the fundamental right of a woman and her doctor to make private medical decisions, including decisions relating to abortion; and
Whereas, Specifically, the Reproductive Health Act would protect the fundamental right to choose contraception, ensure the right of a female to determine the course of a pregnancy, authorize abortion prior to viability, and decriminalize certain abortions; and
Whereas, According to the New York Civil Liberties Union, New Yorkers overwhelmingly support a woman's right to choose and 75% of New Yorkers support the Reproductive Health Act; and
Whereas, In January 2010, the Reproductive Health Act was referred to the Senate's Health Committee, where is sits at this time; and
Whereas, Currently, a companion bill has not yet been introduced in the New York State Assembly; and
Whereas, The Reproductive Health Act would provide safeguards for New York's women in the face of federal protections that have eroded over the years and may continue to erode in the future; and
Whereas, By passing the Reproductive Health Act, New York State can once again take the lead in ensuring the health and freedom of women; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York strongly urges the New York State Legislature to immediately pass the New York State Reproductive Health Act.
JP
LS 8026-8
2/18/10