Protecting Women’s Reproductive Health

BROOKLYN, NY (7/9/18) – Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that despite the looming changes to federal regulations due to the Trump Administration’s anti-woman Supreme Court nominee, the  states’ Department of Financial Services and Department of Health will mandate that health insurance providers cover over-the-counter emergency contraception. Through his Executive Order, the Governor stipulated that insurers further cover the cost of contraceptive drugs, devices or other products for women approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as the dispensing of 12 months of contraceptive at one time - all without co-insurance, co-pays or deductibles. The Governor concluded the announcement by calling on the State Senate to reconvene immediately and vote to codify the protections of Roe. v. Wade into state law.

“I am very pleased with the Governor’s announcement and commitment to protecting the reproductive rights of women in New York State,’ said Senator Parker. “Women must have the right to control their reproductive health decisions with dignity and respect, and the Governor’s executive order will send a very strong message to the Federal government that a women’s right to choose is in fact an alienable right in New York State. I am proud to stand alongside advocates like Robin Golston and Planned Parenthood to support the Governor’s progressive measure to protect the rights of women across our great state,” concluded the Brooklyn lawmaker.

About State Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn district comprised of sections of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope.  A lifelong Brooklyn resident, he is the Ranking Democratic Member on the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications.

Senator Parker is the Whip of the Senate Democratic Conference; Member of the Senate Democratic Conference Policy Group; Member of the Senate Select Committee on Technology & Innovation; and Member of the Senate Democratic Minority and Women-Owned Business Task Force (MWBE).

For the 2017-2018 Legislative Session, Senator Parker serves on the Senate Standing Committees on Finance; Rules; Higher education; Labor; Insurance, and Banks.

To learn more about Senator Parker and his initiatives on behalf of working families across New York State, please visit www.nysenate.gov/senators/kevin-s-parker.