Tompkins Weekly

Letter to the Editor: In support of the RHA



Like so many residents across New York State, I strongly support the passing of the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) and commend each legislator who voted in favor of this landmark legislation. The RHA will ensure that pregnant people in our state have full rights to make the healthcare decisions that are best for their individual health, safety, and wellness.

The Act allows those facing difficult realities about their own health and fetal viability to make the decision that is best in their circumstances without facing legal concerns or stigmatization. Under the RHA, medical professionals are able to provide the safest and healthiest care for each individual. Nationwide, only 1.2 percent of abortions occur after 21 weeks. The RHA’s allowance of later term abortions will not drastically increase the rate of abortions.

The new law also allows other qualified, trained medical professionals, such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives, to safely perform abortions for patients. Allowing them to provide care helps increase the availability of abortion services to more residents across the state. People of color, low-income people, and those in more rural areas are the most likely to experience a shortage of healthcare providers, and they will benefit greatly from the increased safety and health benefits now available to them.
When people in New York get an abortion, the federal government does not, in fact, pay for abortions through Medicaid funding. The Hyde Amendment, passed in 1976, excludes abortions from federal reproductive healthcare funding except in the cases of rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is in danger. Planned Parenthood uses the vast majority of its funding to provide services such as contraception, STD testing, cancer screenings, and prenatal care that decrease unwanted pregnancies and benefit the reproductive health of each person who visits a health center. Increased access to contraception is a major cause of the declining abortion rate, and abortion is currently at a historic low. As unintended pregnancies decrease, fewer people seek out abortions. Planned Parenthood is committed to keeping abortion safe and legal. Patients have the right to speak with their healthcare providers, learn about the complete range of reproductive health options, and make a fully informed decision.

The passing of the RHA is a strong indicator of the importance of voting in state and federal elections. The 2018 elections created the current Senate and General Assembly in New York. Those legislators listened to their constituents and passed the RHA, providing New York State residents with the healthcare services, protections, and rights they want and deserve. Voting in every election on the ballot in each election year is necessary to ensure that similar legislation is passed in the future. Thank you, Senators and Members of the Assembly, for passing this fundamentally important law.

Sincerely, Arielle Hollies

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