One Year After the Dobbs Decision New York City Continues to Lead on Abortion Access

June 23, 2023

NYC Abortion Access Hub Has Served Nearly 2,000 People Since November 2022

NEW YORK – As the nation prepares to tomorrow mark one year since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization — in which the nation’s highest court ruled to effectively overturn Roe v. Wade after almost 50 years of precedent and strip Americans of their right to access safe, legal abortions — New York City Mayor Eric Adams today highlighted the city’s work to expand access for anyone who wants and needs an abortion within the five boroughs, whether they reside here or not. As the right to abortion care has continued to face attacks around the country over the last year, the city has launched new services and supports for women and people in need of care, including the Abortion Access Hub, which has served nearly 2,000 people since November 2022, as well as the launch of no-cost medication abortion at the city’s sexual health clinics.

“One year ago, the highest court in the nation committed the ultimate assault on women’s rights as they sought to strip Americans of their right to control their own bodies. But in the one year since this battle on reproductive rights was lost, the war continues on, and New York City has stepped up and solidified its place as a safe haven for reproductive freedom,” said Mayor Adams. “While some may continually seek to strip women of the rights to control their bodies, their choices, and their freedoms, New York City will always stand on the side of ensuring women can make their own health decisions.”

“Health care is a human right and that extends to reproductive health care,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Since the Dobbs decision, New York City has and will continue to stand up for reproductive health care for every person that needs it. Thank you to the dedicated and thoughtful teams at NYC Health + Hospitals and at DOHMH for putting the city’s values into practice and bringing critical services to New Yorkers and those coming to New York City for care.” 

“Reproductive health is health, and New York City is committed to protecting a person’s right to make decisions about their own body,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “We know that rights and responsibilities are not the same as real-world access, which is why we’re bringing additional services and supports online, and created the first-of-its-kind for government New York City Abortion Access Hub to help people navigate potential barriers to abortion from wherever they come from -- especially from parts of the nation where reproductive rights have been restricted by Dobbs and are under continued attack. As the city’s doctor, I’m proud to be a part of an administration and a city that is a safe haven for abortion and unafraid to take bold action to support reproductive rights.”

“Despite the numerous attacks on our reproductive freedom, New York City and NYC Health + Hospitals continue to be a safe and supportive environment where New Yorkers can receive confidential, high-quality abortion care,” said Wendy Wilcox, MD, MBA, FACOG, chief women’s health officer, NYC Health + Hospitals. “No one should live in fear of seeking out the health care they need.  I thank the mayor and DOHMH for their continued commitment to reproductive health.”

NYC Health + Hospitals offers offer a wide range of services, including primary care, family planning, abortion care, prenatal through delivery care, midwifery services, postpartum care, breastfeeding and lactation services, breast exams, nutrition, behavioral health referrals, preventative care, and vaccinations. Recently, NYC Health + Hospitals expanded systemwide capacity to provide abortion care, increased the number of clinicians who provide abortions, created a systemwide Reproductive Health Working Group to create policies and provide support, and hired a Reproductive Health Navigator to support patients who need extra accompaniment in accessing abortion care.

The city also released new data on the first municipally-funded abortion access call line, launched in the fall of 2022, to connect callers both in New York City and across the country to New York City abortion providers. Since then, the Abortion Access Hub has connected over 1,900 callers to abortion services and resources through New York City abortion providers including NYC Health + Hospitals and other organizations on the ground. Anyone in need of abortion services or support in accessing care can receive assistance by calling 1-877-NYC-AHUB (1-877-692-2482), Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM. For individuals who prefer to start the conversation over text, there is now an online chat feature to connect you to the best phone operator.
New York City also released call data from the Abortion Access Hub’s first six months of operation:

• Most callers live in New York City; and
• More than 400 reported living outside the state, and more than a quarter of those callers were from Texas.

In August 2022, Mayor Adams signed legislation ensuring access to free no-cost medication abortion at the city’s Sexual Health Clinics, becoming the first health department in the country to offer this service. Medication abortion is currently available at the Jamaica Sexual Health Clinic in Queens and Morrisania Sexual Health Clinic in the Bronx, with plans to expand the service to the Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic in the coming months.
For more information on the city’s sexual health clinics, New Yorkers can visit DOHMH’s website.

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