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Support the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act

Governor Spitzer has proposed powerful legislation that would protect reproductive freedom in New York State. The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act would strengthen our laws and ensure that New York remains a beacon for Choice.

As reproductive freedom is eroded at the federal level, New York needs strong, affirmative laws to protect reproductive health and decision-making. This proposed legislation was modeled after a bill drafted by an alliance of reproductive rights organizations, including the Reproductive Rights Project of the New York Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood New York City, Family Planning Advocates of New York State, NARAL Pro-Choice New York, and the Center for Reproductive Rights. It will bolster New York's abortion laws and protect women's fundamental right to make decisions about their pregnancies.

Help create the world we want.  Strengthen protections for women’s health and reproductive freedom.

Read more at www.nyclu.org/rhappa.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Please sign-on in support the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I write as a constituent and a member of the NYCLU to urge you to sign-on as a cosponsor of the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act. The legislation would bring our laws into the 21st Century and ensure that New York remains a beacon for choice.

Amendment of New York laws relating to reproductive health is particularly critical in light of the increasing erosion of federal constitutional protections for choice. The Supreme Court's recent actions have made it clear that Roe v. Wade is at risk, and that New York can no longer afford to rely on federal constitutional law to protect the fundamental right to make private reproductive healthcare decisions. We must act now to strengthen the foundation for reproductive freedom in New York State law, update our archaic legal code, and ensure that women's health is protected.

I urge you to demonstrate your commitment to women's rights and health by signing on as a cosponsor of this essential legislation.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
December 13, 2007


Background Information

It is clear that New York can no longer count on the protections afforded to women by the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Although our state's abortion laws were trailblazing when they were written in 1970, they do not ensure that access to safe and legal reproductive healthcare will continue in New York as Roe is further challenged. The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act will strengthen New York's abortion laws for the 21st century.

New York's current laws are OUTDATED and INADEQUATE

  • New York laws fail to protect women's health. There is no health exception in New York's abortion laws. The Supreme Court has already weakened this long held constitutional principle, and we must guard against further erosion.
  • New York laws still treat abortion as a crime. Abortion is legal in New York only because of exceptions in the criminal law. The right to an abortion must be the rule, not the exception!
  • New York laws are unconstitutional. Old laws that have been struck down by the Supreme Court, such as the law that bans the sale of birth control to minors, remain on the books. Our statutes must be brought up to date.

The Reproductive Health Act Guarantees that New York will remain a BEACON FOR CHOICE

  • The Reproductive Health Act makes clear that women in New York have the right to privacy and the right to decide to end or continue a pregnancy, and ensures that abortion will remain legal in New York State, even if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
  • The Reproductive Health Act will protect the right to abortion in the first or second trimester of pregnancy, in cases where the woman's life or health is at risk, or in cases where the fetus has a fatal medical condition.
  • The Reproductive Health Act ensures that when it comes to state regulations on abortion, women's health will always be paramount.
  • The Reproductive Health Act underscores that abortion is not a criminal matter, but rather, a health decision made by a woman in consultation with her healthcare provider.
  • The Reproductive Health Act protects women's health and safety by requiring that abortions be performed by qualified, licensed medical professionals.