New York State Abortion Advocates Rally in Albany to Champion Landmark Clinical Training Program Amid National Abortion Access Crisis

Albany – In a powerful display of solidarity, abortion advocates from across New York State joined Senator Liz Krueger and Assembly Member Harvey Epstein in Albany today to voice their unwavering support for the New York State Abortion Clinical Training Program (S.1438/A.2439A). This critical initiative seeks to solidify New York's position as a national leader in abortion access and training during a period of unprecedented nationwide attacks on reproductive rights.

The legislation, which has already passed the Senate this session, would establish a state-funded program designed to address the growing shortage of abortion providers in New York and across the country. By investing in clinical training, the program aims to ensure that future generations of healthcare professionals are equipped to provide safe and accessible abortion care.

"We are in the midst of a nationwide crisis of reproductive health care access," said Senator Krueger. "Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, egregious state bans have increasingly restricted access to abortion care for women, and access to required clinical reproductive health care training for OB/GYN residents across the country. The Trump-Musk administration is poised to attack access to abortion care even further by targeting FDA regulation of mifepristone, telehealth medication abortion, and EMTALA provisions that ensure people experiencing pregnancy complications can receive emergency treatment. New York State is in a strong position to improve access for New Yorkers and other Americans by establishing and funding the New York State Abortion Clinical Training Program. New York must show leadership and act now to help address this reproductive health care and training access crisis!"

"Thanks to the hard work of advocates and committed legislators like Sen. Krueger, New York is a safe haven for anyone seeking reproductive healthcare. But we cannot maintain our reputation for reproductive freedom without investing in training the healthcare professionals who provide this crucial care," said Assembly Member Epstein. “There are constitutional and statutory rights to reproductive healthcare in New York but without a pipeline of trained professionals, those rights may not be fully exercised. This program will not only benefit our state but serve as a model for the nation."

“As reproductive rights continue to be attacked across the country, it is imperative that we address the growing shortage of healthcare providers trained in abortion care right here in New York,” said Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee. “The New York State Abortion Clinical Training Program will be vital to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to comprehensive reproductive health care services. By providing critical training to licensed physicians, medical residents, and Advanced Practice Clinicians, we can bridge the gap in care and support individuals in states with abortion bans. This program will reinforce our state’s leadership in reproductive justice, ensuring that no one is left behind.”

"As Chair of the Women's Issues Committee, I am committed to advancing policies that protect and empower women, ensuring all New Yorkers have access to the care they deserve,” said Senator Lea Webb. “This legislation is crucial in ensuring that our healthcare providers are equipped with the proper training and resources to safely and effectively provide abortion services. I stand firmly in support of expanding access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare."

The rally, held at the 4th Floor Gallery of the NYS Capitol Building, featured providers Dr. Heather Paladine (Immediate Past President of NYSAFP), Dr. Taylor Walker (Abortion Provider, President of Committee of Interns and Residents-SEIU, Abortion Positivity Project Board member), and Rose Mitchell (Licensed Midwife, Northeast Region Representative of New York State Midwives); and representatives from the Abortion Positivity Action Fund, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, Committee of Interns and Residents-SEIU, Medical Students for Choice NYC, NYS Academy of Family Physicians, New York Midwives, and Downtown Women for Change.

Speakers highlighted the urgent need for the program, citing the increasing challenges faced by individuals seeking abortion care in other states, and underscored the importance of proactive measures to ensure that New York remains a safe haven for reproductive rights. The  nationwide reproductive health training crisis that has emerged following the Dobbs decision continues to be exacerbated by escalating state-level abortion bans and increasing lack of training resources. Even within New York, with its relatively protective stance, abortion provider deserts and shortages of healthcare practitioners providing comprehensive reproductive services persist, and many authorized practitioners lack access to necessary training. In the face of federal efforts to restrict access to care, New York State must assume a leadership role by establishing the State Abortion Clinical Training Program to address critical training needs and provider shortages.

"This is not just about access to abortion; it's about justice," said Dr. Taylor Walker. "By training more abortion providers, we are trying to make it easier for all individuals to have the autonomy to make informed decisions about their own bodies. In the current political climate, New York has a responsibility to act and act quickly.”

Dr. Heather Paladine added, "New York State is already a leader in abortion care and access. We need to be a leader as well in training the next generation of abortion providers."

"Reproductive rights remain a battleground with all the usual players: misogyny, racism, and patriarchy. The right to decide when, whether, and how to have a child is fundamental to a person’s autonomy, dignity, and equality. This right affects every aspect of a woman’s and person’s life – economic status,  educational aspirations, career goals, health, and family well-being,” said Sherrie Hunter Kelly, of New York Midwives. “Midwives have been present in the battle for reproductive freedom since ancient times. Women and people capable of reproduction have always had agency to decide, for themselves, whether or not to be pregnant, give birth, and raise children. The ability to choose whether or not to be pregnant is a fundamental human right."

The coalition urged lawmakers to prioritize the passage of S.1438/A.2439A, emphasizing its potential to safeguard reproductive freedom and set a national standard for abortion access and training.

The Urgent Need for Action

New York has long been a leader in reproductive health access, but maintaining this status requires proactive investment in training. Nearly half of all OBGYN residency programs are located in states with abortion bans, preventing over 2,000 residents from receiving essential clinical experience. Within New York, decades of restrictive policies and funding limitations have constrained training opportunities, particularly for abortion procedures after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Currently, seven out of ten regions in New York have clinics that provide abortion services beyond 15 weeks of pregnancy. However, three regions have only two clinics offering services up to 20 weeks, forcing many individuals to travel long distances—or even out of state—for care. Additionally, family medicine physicians, primary care doctors, emergency room physicians, and advanced practice clinicians (APCs), who are legally authorized to provide abortion services, often struggle to access structured training.

To address these shortages, S.1438/A.2439A would establish a statewide training initiative within the New York State Department of Health (DOH). The program would:

• Develop a standardized curriculum covering a full range of abortion and reproductive health care services.

• Establish a minimum of four clinical training sites across New York.

• Provide training opportunities to physicians, advanced practice clinicians, and medical residents.

• Prioritize practitioners who commit to serving in provider-shortage areas.

• Offer grants for travel and lodging to remove financial barriers to training, ensuring an inclusive and diverse healthcare workforce.

Funding the Future of Abortion Care in New York

The New York State Assembly and Senate must include $10 million in funding for this program in the SFY 2026 Enacted State Budget. With no federal support and ongoing efforts to restrict reproductive healthcare nationwide, it is imperative that New York takes the lead in securing the future of abortion access.
 

The Time to Act is Now

“New York has made great strides in protecting abortion rights, but legal access is meaningless without trained providers,” said Sophie Nir, CEO of Abortion Positivity Action Fund. “The New York State Abortion Clinical Training Program is a crucial step toward ensuring that everyone who needs abortion care—whether they are residents of New York or patients forced to travel from restrictive states—can access high quality abortion care in a timely manner at any stage of pregnancy.”

"There is no freedom without access. We are thankful to Senator Krueger and Assemblymember Epstein for centering this reality in their legislation that will advance training resources for providers across the state. The threats to reproductive freedom are unrelenting. As an access state, we have a moral obligation to be bold and unwavering in our commitment to bodily autonomy and access for all. We are proud to stand in support of this important legislation," said Robin Chappelle Golston, President + CEO, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts.

“New York lawmakers must address the growing shortage of abortion care providers across our state now,” said Allie Bohm, senior policy counsel at the New York Civil Liberties Union. “The NYS Abortion Clinical Training Act would create a state funding stream to support abortion training and help more people, especially in underserved communities, access abortion care. At a time when abortion rights are under attack nationwide, our lawmakers must seize this opportunity to expand access to abortion care.” 

"There is a severe shortage of opportunities for residents to be trained in abortion and other reproductive health care services in New York State at a time when the need for these services has grown significantly including from individuals who reside outside New York. Our members and residency programs report that family medicine residents are traveling to other countries like Mexico to receive this important education," said Dr. Rachelle Brilliant, President of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians. "The Academy supports this legislation to increase opportunities for medical residents and practitioners who want to train in abortion care and commends the leadership of bill sponsors, Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein. We urge the Governor and Legislature to advance the bill to ensure access to this care for all individuals who need it."

“State abortion bans are not only limiting access to care and bodily autonomy but are preventing our future healthcare providers from being trained in the full range of reproductive healthcare which will increase maternal morbidity and mortality. New York has the opportunity to once again stand up for health and human rights by becoming the leader in reproductive clinical training by enacting and funding this bill.”  said Terry McGovern, JD, Provost and Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Founding Member Sexual and Reproductive Justice Hub, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy.

"It’s 2025 and women in the United States are dying due to inadequate and incompetent reproductive healthcare. Lack of facilities and trained staff are an underlying factor in abortion-related health issues. New York State has a unique opportunity to address these training needs by funding the New York State Abortion Clinical Training Program,” said Downtown Women for Change (DWC). “We urge the Assembly, Senate and the Governor to finish the job and fund the Krueger/Epstein Legislation S.1438/A.2439-A in the SFY 2026 Final State Budget. Ten million dollars is a small ask when weighed against the health and life of countless women."

"As trainees ourselves, we at Medical Students for Choice NYC know firsthand how urgently New York State needs a Reproductive Health Training Fund," said Sarah McNeilly, a fourth-year medical student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "Far too many clinicians are going untrained in abortion care, even in New York. This legislation will help fix that — and make it even clearer that New York State stands with and for abortion providers, here and everywhere."

By investing in provider training, New York can reaffirm its role as a national safe haven for reproductive healthcare. New York must act now and fund this essential initiative to protect abortion access for all.