The Cuomo Administration and state democratic lawmakers are calling for passage of the Reproductive Health Act. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is joining the effort as they seek passage in the first 30-days of the state legislative session.
"I fiercely believe, as I said more than two decades ago, that human rights are women's rights, and women's rights are human rights,” stated Hillary Clinton.
Clinton said women’s' rights and access to health care is not just an economic issue, but an issue of fairness, equality and justice.
The Governor, who is fearing the Supreme Court could repeal Roe versus Wade, is calling for passage of the Reproductive Health Act and a Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act.
Clinton pointed out the Trump administration has rolled back access to reproductive services. She is joining Cuomo in his call to codify abortion rights into New York State law.
“Women's ability to get basic healthcare, our right to make the most deeply personal decisions, is facing the most significant threats in recent memory,” remarked Clinton.
If approved, the Act would de-criminalize a women's access to abortions and protect the doctors who perform them once and for all. Last year the state assembly passed the bill, but it was then blocked in by the Senate Health Committee, but senate Democratic Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins says is pledging a change.
“That is over,” declared Stewart-Cousins.
The Governor is pledging he will not pass a state budget if the legislature fails passage of Reproductive Health Act and Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act.
“Pass a State law that is a prophylactic from the federal action and that means pass Reproductive Health Act and the Contraceptive Care act,” Cuomo said.
Along with Clinton and Stewart-Cousins, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator Liz Krueger and Assembly Member Deborah Glick also spoke in support of the bills.
