PRESS RELEASES
Proposed Legislation Establishes a
Fundamental Right to
Privacy for Women; Governor's Bill Will Guarantee a
Woman's Right to Make Decisions Related to Her Personal
Reproductive Health
April 25, 2007 |
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Note: This Press
Release was posted by the office of Governor of
State of New York State on the Governor's web
page.
Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced his plans to submit
legislation that will update New York's laws pertaining to
reproductive rights and establish a fundamental, statutory right
to privacy for women in making personal reproductive decisions.
The bill would enact the “Reproductive Health and Privacy
Protection Act” under the Public Health Law. Additionally, it
would amend or repeal various statutes to ensure that New York
Law protects a woman’s right to choose the course of her
pregnancy, and the right of all New Yorkers to use or refuse
contraceptives.
“Basic respect for legal precedent, a sound understanding of
scientifically-grounded medicine, and the unequivocal belief
that private medical decisions should be left to the women
facing them, dictate that we must reaffirm our commitment to a
woman’s right to choose,” Governor Spitzer said. “In the wake of
the recent United States Supreme Court ruling, this legislation
is a necessary measure to ensure that a woman’s fundamental
right to privacy in New York is protected at all costs, and not
beholden to either archaic state statutes or an overreaching
federal government.”
President of NARAL Pro-Choice New York, Kelli Conlin said,
“New York must move swiftly and pass a strong law to protect the
fundamental right of a woman, and her doctor, to make private
medical decisions about birth control and abortion. The threat
to women’s health and privacy, as shown by last week’s dangerous
Supreme Court decision, has never been greater. We know where
Governor Spitzer stands and appreciate his leadership on this
issue. Every lawmaker in Albany now needs to join the Governor,
and the overwhelming pro-choice majority in New York, to protect
the right of women—not politicians—to make these most private
medical decisions.”
President and CEO of Family Planning Advocates of New York
State, JoAnn M Smith said, “The Supreme Court’s dangerous
decision on the abortion ban demonstrates how important it is
for New York to safeguard women’s health and reproductive
rights. While this law does not create new rights, it makes
important clarifications that will protect existing medical
practice. Governor Spitzer pledged to protect a woman’s right to
choose and he is taking critical action at a critical time to
fulfill his promise.”
President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of New York City,
Joan Malin said, “On Wednesday, April 18th, the United States
Supreme Court told this country that women’s health does not
matter. Today, Governor Spitzer is telling New Yorkers that it
does.”
Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union,
Donna Lieberman said, “The modernization of New York State’s
abortion law is long overdue and the NYCLU applauds the
Governor’s leadership in spearheading that process at this
critical moment. The Governor’s proposal provides strong
protections that will ensure that New York State remains a
beacon for choice in the face of broad federal attacks on
reproductive health and decision-making.”
President and CEO of Community Healthcare Network, Catherine
M. Abate said, “We applaud the vision and leadership of the
Governor, and his decision to stand up for women and their
health. New York law will now reflect existing medical
practice.”
President of the Center for Reproductive Rights, Nancy
Northup said, “Just a week after the United States Supreme Court
ruled to backslide on constitutional protections, we commend
Governor Eliot Spitzer for making sure New York State firmly
upholds women's reproductive rights. As the Governor recognizes,
a woman's right to privacy in making intimate, personal
reproductive decisions is a human right that must be protected
by law, not a bully pulpit for politicians.”
The President of the National Organization for Women-New York
State, Marcia A. Pappas said, "The National Organization for
Women - New York State is extremely proud that Governor Eliot
Spitzer, in his proposed Reproductive Rights and Privacy Act,
has fully recognized the importance of abortion rights and the
dangerous restrictions permitted by US Supreme Court's very
recent anti-choice 2007 Gonzales v. Carhart and Gonzales v.
Planned Parenthood decisions. It is imperative that the State of
New York continue in it's historic role as a leader on this
watershed issue. A woman's decision over her own reproductive
domain must be supreme, with no other arbitrator allowed to
dictate or legislate in this most intimate sphere of privacy.
Indeed, a women's autonomy and participation as a full US
citizen is dependent upon her self determination in matters of
family planning and reproduction. Again we congratulate Governor
Spitzer for recognizing the personhood of women as conscientious
and autonomous beings who are completely competent to make
decisions about their own bodies without intervention by the
government. Kudos to you Governor!"
Note:
This Press Release was posted by the office of Governor of State
of New York State on the Governor's web page.
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