New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation permitting doctors to prescribe abortion medication via telehealth to patients residing outside of New York. This move strengthens protections for both patients and healthcare providers involved in abortion care, particularly in light of increasing restrictions on abortion access across the United States.
This new law positions New York alongside other states that have enacted similar telehealth "shield laws" designed to safeguard interstate abortion seekers. It prevents New York officials from cooperating with legal actions originating in states with abortion bans, such as arrests or extraditions.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of this legislation in ensuring access to abortion care, stating that while other states may restrict their own providers, New York remains committed to providing care for those seeking it.
This action follows the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, which has led to numerous states enacting near-total bans on abortion. With millions of women of reproductive age now living in states with severely restricted abortion access, New York's law aims to offer a pathway to care for those affected.
Previously, New York had already implemented protections for healthcare professionals providing abortions to patients traveling from states with bans or restrictions. This new law extends those protections to telehealth services, acknowledging the growing prevalence of medication abortion, which now accounts for over half of all abortions in the US. Advocates for abortion access have indicated that they will begin mailing abortion pills as soon as the law takes effect.
This legislation comes at the same time that other states are taking action on reproductive rights. For instance, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs recently signed an executive order offering comprehensive protection against prosecution for individuals involved in legally obtained abortions in the state. This order restricts local prosecutors from pursuing abortion-related charges and prohibits state agencies from assisting in investigations without a court order. Furthermore, Arizona will not comply with extradition requests for individuals sought for assisting, providing, or seeking an abortion. Under this order, only the Arizona Attorney General retains the authority to oversee abortion-related prosecutions.
