In an Editorial Spotlight interview at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, state Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, and Family Planning Advocates of New York State President and CEO M. Tracey Brooks will discuss the proposed Reproductive Health Act.
To watch, go to www.lohud.com/editorialspotlight; to submit a question or comment during the live session, engage the “CoverItLive” blogging feature; and to make a comment in advance, either use the comments box below, mention @LoHudOpinion on Twitter or email adelgado@lohud.com.
Reproductive Health Act changes
Current New York law now limits abortion at 24 weeks of fetal gestation, with the only exception being when the mother’s life is in danger. The Reproductive Health Act would update the law to consider “fetal viability,” which differs with each pregnancy. Also, abortion would be permissible if a woman’s health or life is at risk.
The act would also shift abortion oversight from criminal laws to public health laws, where all other medical oversight is provided. This allows doctors to make choices about how to care for their patients without worrying about criminal prosecution for making reasoned medical decisions, based on their patients’ medical needs.
And, the law would ensure access to contraception. Nationally, more than 1,000 regulations were introduced in 2012 to limit access to reproductive health care.
Above: State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins in August at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown. (Photo by Carucha L. Meuse / The Journal News)
