Senator Persaud Stands Up For Women’s Health And Reproductive Rights

(Albany, NY) Senator Roxanne J. Persaud and members of the Senate Democratic Conference forced the Senate Republican Majority to vote on the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act and the Reproductive Health Act. Both women’s rights bills have major support among New York voters, yet have been repeatedly blocked from becoming law by the Senate Republican Majority. Additionally, Senator Persaud and the Senate Democrats issued a report, Pricy Predicament: Access to Affordable Emergency Contraception, which outlined the need for better contraceptive care to be provided to New York women by health insurance companies.

“We must do everything in our power to expand access to the full range of reproductive health services and the women in New York are entitled to have these basic health care services,” Senator Persaud said. “The Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act and Reproductive Health Act would ensure that the women in New York are guaranteed access to affordable, safe, and essential reproductive health options. This small change will make a big difference in the lives of women in the district who need this most.”

If enacted, the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act, would require health insurance companies to include coverage of all FDA-approved contraceptive options, as well as contraceptive counseling, and services. This legislation passed the State Assembly by a 103-43 margin. The Reproductive Health Act will modernize New York’s nearly 50 year old statutes regarding abortion and ensure that New York State law treats abortion as health care, not a criminal act. This measure passed the State Assembly by a 93-44 margin.

The Senate Democratic report, Pricy Predicament: Access to Affordable Emergency Contraception, highlights that over-the-counter emergency contraception is 95% effective in preventing pregnancies if taken within 24-hours. The average cost of over-the-counter emergency contraception is approximately $60, which could be a major deterrent for low-wage New York women. The Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act would address those concerns by ensuring health insurance companies cover these options at zero additional costs, but it has been held up by the Senate Republican Majority despite being sponsored by a Republican Senator. To view the full report, please visit: https://www.scribd.com/document/380492674/Pricey-Predicament-Access-to-Affordable-Emergency-Contraception

“I will continue to fight to protect a women’s right to make her own reproductive health choices. The bills my colleagues and I advanced have a strong support from New Yorkers and deserve a vote. I urge the Senate Republicans to stop playing politics with New York women’s health and preserve these rights,” Senator Persaud concluded.