Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you so much. And I really want to applaud our attorney general for her swift action, mobilizing all those who stand on the side of what's right across this country. And the governor has made it clear here in New York that we will be a safe haven for those who are fleeing unfair abortion rulings that's coming from every level of Trump appointed judges, particularly this one. Last Friday, a Trump appointed judge in Texas set on trampling the law instead of upholding it, made the decision to strip away a freedom that American women have had for decades, effectively making the most commonly used medication abortion drug illegal across the nation. The decision by the Texas Court is another assault on women's rights and a setback for this entire country.
More than 20 years, the drug has been one of the simplest, quickest, and most common options for women managing an abortion or miscarriage in the United States. Right now at least 29 percent of all women of reproductive age in the US are already living in states where surgical abortions are virtually unavailable. And banning this safe and effective drug with effectively reduced medication abortion options for approximately 40 million women nationwide. New York City supports the federal government's legal effort to reverse this harmful decision and to restore the authority that the FDA should have under the law.
Today, with other cities and countries, we are leading the filing of an amicus brief that highlights the negative impact this ruling would have on our public hospitals and the people who rely on them for care. If the safe and effective two drug regimen is suddenly removed, our public healthcare system will have to divert resources to provide alternate options and procedures. This will put a strain on public hospitals' already limited resources. It will affect public hospitals' abilities to provide care to patients seeking abortions, and could impact their ability to provide care across the board, it would make providing healthcare to already vulnerable New Yorkers even more difficult. Our public hospital system will always be open to the patients who need care. Yet, this decision will make delivering care that much harder.
Friday's decision was about one thing and one thing only controlling women's bodies, their choices, and their freedom. We have already seen the Supreme Court issue a ruling taking us 50 years back in time with the overturning of Roe versus Wade. And the Texas Court ruling is yet another extremist decision that would affect millions seeking healthcare across the country, including those here in New York City. You have my word as mayor, the largest city in America, we will do everything in our power legally, personally, and politically to fight this ruling and defend the rights of women. New York City is and will remain a hub for reproductive healthcare for all women. Both our Department of Health and our public hospital system will do everything they can to provide support and access to all women in need of reproductive health.
Should this ruling go into effect this week, New York City's public hospital system and its Health Department will continue to make medication abortion accessible to all by shifting to a different treatment regimen that will comply with the law. But here in New York City, the birthplace of the Women's Right Movement, a city where Eleanor Roosevelt, Shirley Chisholm, and Gloria Steinem blazed in new path for women in America, who will never let these freedoms be taken away, especially the right to live life on your own terms without conservative judges deciding what's best for you. Thank you for this fight and let's continue to fight together.
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