The New York State Catholic Conference is speaking out against legislation recently approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul to expand access to abortions and contraceptives.
On May 2, Hochul signed into law A1395-C/S1213-B. The measure allows for on-campus access to pills for medication abortions by any students enrolled at State University of New York or City University of New York colleges. The law calls for access to be provided “by employing or contracting with individuals authorized to prescribe such drugs, or by providing referrals,” according to the bill’s summary.
Dennis Poust, executive director of the Catholic conference, contended that New York’s legislators are touting abortion pills as a matter of convenience for college students, while ignoring the moral and health considerations associated with aborting a fetus.
“It’s tragic that young women away from home for the first time and facing a crisis pregnancy will be simply handed abortion pills to take care of the ‘problem,’ rather than be given the multi-layered supports they need,” Poust said in a statement.
New York’s Catholic conference director calls governor’s focus ‘terribly misguided’
New York’s new abortion-pill legislation was enacted amid a series of court battles across the United States over medication abortions. In New York, the state Catholic conference also has noted health risks associated with abortion pills, stating, “Despite claims to the contrary, the abortion pill is not ‘one of the safest and most effective medications.’”
Poust criticized Hochul’s support of A1395-C/S1213-B and other abortion-rights bills, citing “Governor Hochul’s single-minded focus on increasing abortions in the state, as though she’s trying to win some sort of ghoulish contest.” He called the agenda “terribly misguided.”
On May 2, Hochul also signed into law A1060-A/S1043-A, permitting over-the-counter access to hormonal contraception. While the abortion-pill legislation is “by far the more egregious” of the two bills Hochul approved that day, Poust said the Catholic conference also strongly objects to A1060-A/S1043-A.
“Like the abortion pills, hormonal contraceptives could have serious side effects and contraindications, and it is important that physicians be involved in each case,” he said. “The legislature and governor are sacrificing the safety of women to score cheap political points.”
Tags: Abortion, NY Catholics
