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Bronx Politics and Community events
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NYC Abortion Access Hub Has Served Nearly 2,000 People Since November 2022
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:
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.
"I am incredibly disappointed that Coverage For All did not
This was our opportunity to expand much needed healthcare coverage in New
As leaders of New York, historically a bastion for immigrants that built this state, I would have hoped that Assembly leadership would demonstrate the courage to bring the Governor to the table for this critical policy. Last year, the Governor expressly said that New York would seek federal funds to expand health coverage to eligible undocumented New Yorkers. It is extraordinarily distressing that she did not keep her word by supporting passage of this bill and instead publicly seeded doubt about its feasibility despite the federal government’s explicit guidance for New York to move forward. We were looking forward to working with her to bring millions of dollars to the State to cover this population. Instead, thousands of New Yorkers will continue to rely on the emergency room for healthcare at an incredibly steep cost to the State. I want to thank my fellow warrior, Assemblymember Gonzalez-Rojas, and every single advocacy organization who worked tirelessly to support this bill.”
This fight is not over. On behalf of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who were depending on this policy, I am committed to persevering with our allies to achieve guaranteed healthcare for all.”
"Ending the 90-day rule is an important but incomplete part of addressing the voucher issues that exacerbate the housing and homelessness crisis in our city. The mayor’s executive action is not a substitute for the broad and lasting legislation passed by the City Council.
"By including work requirements in that order, the administration is actually moving us backward. Particularly given Albany’s inaction on the Housing Access Voucher Program, the city has even greater responsibility to provide housing support. Yet far from streamlining access to housing, this is conservative, counterproductive policy and philosophy that will shut out New Yorkers most in need.
"I implore the mayor to rescind these requirements, and to enact the full package of legislation that was passed by the City Council and desperately needed by so many New Yorkers."
What's going on with the Supreme Court? |
There’s been so much news about the Supreme Court’s corruption lately, it’s been hard to keep up.
Just this week, it was revealed that Justice Samuel Alito went on an undisclosed fishing trip to Alaska paid for by billionaire, GOP megadonor Paul Singer — whose hedge fund then argued 10 cases in front of the Supreme Court, winning at least $2.4 billion in the process.
SCOTUS is in a legitimacy crisis.
As the Court’s term for the year draws to a close — and they soon issue pivotal decisions on affirmative action, gerrymandering, and student debt forgiveness — we wanted to take a minute to break down what we know:
Justice Clarence Thomas has received luxury gifts nearly every year for decades without reporting them in financial disclosures.1 These gifts, paid for by billionaire real estate developer Harlan Crow, include private jet trips around the world, vacations on Crow’s private superyacht, and at least two years of private school tuition for Justice Thomas’ grandnephew.2 Crow also purchased the home of Justice Thomas’ mother. He allowed her to live there rent free, and has spent thousands of dollars on renovations to her home.
Conservative judicial activist Leonard Leo made secret payments to Virginia ‘Ginni’ Thomas — wife of Justice Thomas — totalling over $80,000 from 2011 to 2012, specifically directing that her name be left off billing paperwork.
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch sold property in Colorado to the CEO of Greenberg Traurig, one of the country’s biggest law firms.3 Justice Gorsuch disclosed income from the purchase, but declined to identify that the CEO of Greenberg Traurig was the purchaser, leaving the box blank on the disclosure form. Since 2017, Greenberg Traurig has been involved in at least 22 cases before the Supreme Court.
Jane Roberts — wife of Chief Justice John Roberts — solicited $10.3 million in commissions as a legal recruiter in the 8 years after her husband’s Court appointment.4 The fees were paid to Roberts by corporations and law firms, at least one of which argued a case before the Supreme Court.
And when asked to participate in a congressional inquiry into these potentially illegal ethical violations, Chief Justice Roberts and the Court refused to comply.
A court that rejects accountability for itself erodes its own ability to hold others accountable.
Alexandria called for the impeachment of Clarence Thomas for the most egregious of these violations — and she wants Justices to be held to the same ethical standards of other elected officials to stop this corruption in the future.
We will keep you posted as more on the Supreme Court develops.
In solidarity,
Team AOC
1 - ProPublica: Clarence Thomas and the Billionaire
2 - ProPublica: Clarence Thomas Had a Child in Private School. Harlan Crow Paid the Tuition.
What should I do before a heat wave?
What can I do during a heat wave?
Places to Get Cool
New York State pools and beaches across the New York State Park system are available for individuals to cool off during hot days this summer. View the full list of statewide swimming lakes, ocean beaches and pools. Call ahead to confirm hours.
Additionally, the New York State Department of Health collects information about seasonal cooling centers from local health departments and emergency management offices. For more information and to find a Cooling Center near you, go here.
For further information on how to stay safe during periods of excessive heat, please visit the New York State Department of Health website or the CDC website.
Lastly, for information on long term care services and supports for older adults and caregivers, please visit NY Connects or call 1-800-342-9871.
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