Governor Kathy Hochul announced over $24 million in state grants to organizations throughout New York to support abortion health care services. The funding, part of the New York State Abortion Access Program, aims to ensure that patients across the state have access to safe and supportive abortion services.
“Abortion is health care and I will always fight to protect reproductive rights for all New Yorkers and anyone receiving health care in New York,” Governor Hochul said. “As we face anti-choice extremists in leadership who aim to roll back these hard fought for rights, we will always fight to ensure access to reproductive care is protected here in New York and ensure that this state remains a safe harbor for those in need of abortion care.”
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald added, “This funding is critical for clinics across the state to continue offering abortion care and to expand the range of reproductive health services they provide. As other states strip away protections, New York’s commitment to reproductive freedom has never been more important. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul, we will continue ensuring abortion care is affordable, available, and accessible to anyone who needs it.”
Since taking office, Governor Hochul has implemented several measures aimed at expanding reproductive health care both within New York and nationwide. These actions include dedicating substantial financial resources—hundreds of millions of dollars—to help abortion providers statewide adapt to current challenges such as increased demand or security concerns. Additional funds from the FY26 Enacted Budget are set aside for medication abortions and facility upgrades.
Other steps taken by the administration include codifying abortion as protected emergency medical care within the state and requiring hospitals to provide such services when medically necessary. Pharmacists have also been authorized through a standing order to dispense certain hormonal contraception medications without a prescription.
Earlier this year, legislation was signed strengthening legal protections for abortion providers against out-of-state prosecution. The law allows medical providers greater privacy on prescription labels following incidents involving attempts by officials from other states seeking extradition related to telehealth prescriptions.
Additional legislative efforts under Governor Hochul’s tenure have included laws improving access for marginalized populations by making hormonal contraception available over-the-counter and ensuring medication abortion access for SUNY and CUNY students. Six bills were enacted prior to the Dobbs decision addressing legal issues faced by patients and providers.
In November 2024, voters approved Proposition One amending the New York Constitution with explicit protections regarding abortion rights and reproductive health care access. This amendment also established constitutional safeguards against discrimination based on various characteristics including ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity/expression), pregnancy status or outcomes, alongside existing racial and religious protections.
Abortion remains legal up through 24 weeks of pregnancy in New York; after that point it is permitted if an individual’s health or pregnancy is at risk. Both medication-based and clinic-based abortions are protected under current law in the state.
More information about accessing abortion services can be found on the Know Your Rights website or by locating a nearby provider online.
