Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Mar. 18 that $20 million in state grants will be made available to eligible providers to fund medication abortion health care services through the New York State Supplemental Abortion Provider Support Fund. The Department of Health has notified 22 potential awardees about their eligibility for this funding.
The announcement comes as debates over reproductive rights continue across the country. The funding aims to ensure that clinics can maintain and expand access to abortion services, which officials say is essential for thousands of New Yorkers who rely on these health care options.
“We are facing a time when our fundamental rights are under attack by anti-choice politicians who are determined to dismantle established reproductive freedoms,“ Governor Hochul said. “New York will always remain a safe haven for people seeking care, and I will never back down from fighting to protect access to health care that thousands of New Yorkers rely on.”
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Governor Hochul remains a champion for reproductive health care in New York State as abortion access remains under attack across much of the country. This critical funding ensures clinics have the support they need to continue to provide high quality health care services in communities across the state. New York remains committed to protecting these fundamental rights and remains a safe harbor for those in need of abortion care.”
The new round of funding follows previous efforts by Governor Hochul, including a $25 million Abortion Provider Support Fund launched in May 2022 ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, and additional resources allocated through the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grants Program as part of the FY25 enacted State budget.
The Supplemental Abortion Provider Support Fund is designed to help providers with recruitment, hiring, training, retention of staff, expanding clinic hours, managing patient care, covering uncompensated services related to abortion care, outreach efforts, and other operational needs that increase access.
Since taking office, Governor Hochul has dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars toward supporting abortion providers—including capital investments in the FY26 Enacted Budget aimed at helping clinics modernize facilities and upgrade equipment. Last year she also worked with lawmakers to codify abortion as protected emergency medical care in New York State.
Abortion access continues to be available both for residents and those traveling from outside New York. Medication abortion is described as a safe method used by millions each year.