DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEW STEPS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL IN CITY HOSPITALS

First Lady Chirlane McCray calls on cities across the U.S. to follow NYC’s lead

  First Lady Chirlane McCray and NYC Health + Hospitals today announced a new initiative aimed at increasing access to birth control in the City’s public hospitals, doubling down on the City’s commitment to be a national leader in reproductive rights.

This fall, the City’s public health system — the largest in the nation — will increase its stock of long-acting reversible contraceptives at all 11 of the city’s hospitals and its six ambulatory care centers, making these contraceptive devices available to women who request them during their primary care visit. Nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods, like intrauterine devices (IUD) that are implanted in women, are over 99 percent effective and can be removed at any time.

“With our constitutional rights at serious risk, it’s time for cities and states to step up to protect the health and well-being of women and their families,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray, co-chair of New York City’s Commission on Gender Equity. “These new steps will help prevent unintended pregnancy in New York City and allow women to care for themselves and their loved ones. Beyond that, we are sending a clear message: New York City will not stop fighting for the health and wellness of women and families. Cities across the country can and should follow our lead.”

“Having effective contraceptive methods readily available ensures that women and families in New York City face fewer barriers to the critical reproductive health care they want and need,” said Dr. Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. “These new initiatives demonstrate our City’s continuing commitment to streamline and ultimately increase women’s access to birth control, at a time when the Trump administration is making clear attempts to roll back access.”

“While I made my choice to specialize in OB/GYN many years ago, my passion for the field — and its important role in helping women make life-altering decisions — is just as strong today, which is why I’m excited about our enhanced commitment to greater and easier access to all classes of contraception, including the most efficient and reliable,” said Dr. Machelle Allen, chief medical officer of NYC Health + Hospitals. “Each woman is different, having differing needs and lifestyles. We at Health + Hospitals are committed to providing choice, which implies access to all options. As women’s reproductive options are being challenged across the country, I’m proud that we in New York continue to expand, not contract, these options.”

Under its initiative, Health + Hospitals will purchase 13,000 contraceptive devices over the next three years – more than doubling the system’s current supply. Health + Hospitals currently serves approximately 113,000 female patients of reproductive age (13 –49 years) across the public health system’s ambulatory care centers and neighborhood clinics in the five boroughs. The increase in contraceptives will help protect nearly 5,000 more women against unwanted pregnancy. The initiative will also include:

·  “Pregnancy intention” screenings for women of reproductive age: This screening will become a routine part of primary care, with the aim of connecting women as early as possible to the appropriate pre-pregnancy care, prenatal care, or birth control of their choice.

· “Health readiness” assessments for women planning a pregnancy: The screenings will help identify and manage chronic medical conditions – such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension – that increase the risk of maternal complications and deaths. 

· Faster access to contraceptive devices for adolescents: Women ages 13 to 18 will be able to get same-day access to intrauterine devices in ambulatory clinics that offer women’s health services. The current process requires adolescents first visit a pediatrician then be referred to a gynecological specialist to get an IUD.

·  Additional Staff: A new women’s health Nurse Practitioner and support staff will be added to the family planning clinics at each of the 11 hospitals and six large community-based health centers.

“Every New Yorker has the right to access comprehensive, affordable, and culturally-competent reproductive rights services,” said Jacqueline Ebanks, Commissioner of NYC’s Commission on Gender Equity. “We applaud First Lady McCray and the de Blasio Administration for putting the reproductive rights of New Yorkers first, and helping ensure more people have control over their reproductive health care, regardless of their gender identity or expression.”