NY greenlights over-the-counter birth control, expands abortion access

David Robinson, New York State Team
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Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday signed legislation that will allow pharmacists to dispense over-the-counter contraception and ensure access to medication abortion at public colleges and universities in New York.

The two bills are the latest in a series of measures approved in New York to protect abortion access in the state after the Supreme Court last year overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which established a constitutional right to abortion.

"As anti-choice extremists and judges continue to roll back abortion rights across the country, we are fighting back here in New York," Hochul said in a statement announcing the new state laws.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks to reporters about legislation in the Red Room at the state Capitol in Albany, N.Y.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks to reporters about legislation in the Red Room at the state Capitol in Albany, N.Y.

Why over-the-counter birth control?

Pharmacists in New York will now be allowed to dispense birth control over the counter pursuant to a non-patient specific standing order from a physician or nurse practitioner.

Hochul and lawmakers asserted the new law will increase access to the "routine medication, particularly in rural parts of the state where a pharmacy may be more accessible than a doctor's office."

Low-income New Yorkers without a primary care doctors also benefit from the increased access at pharmacies, lawmakers noted.

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More access to abortion medication at college

On Friday, April 21, 2023, the Supreme Court halted restrictions that would have limited access to the abortion pill mifepristone, resolving a massive and fast moving conflict over access to the drug while the underlying lawsuit is decided.
On Friday, April 21, 2023, the Supreme Court halted restrictions that would have limited access to the abortion pill mifepristone, resolving a massive and fast moving conflict over access to the drug while the underlying lawsuit is decided.

The state law also now requires that every SUNY and CUNY college campus provide access to abortion medication to their students. This can involve either employing or contracting with authorized prescribers of prescription drugs, or by providing students with information and referrals to prescribers.

College-age people are within the age group most likely to seek abortion care, Hochul said in a statement, adding medication abortion prescription drugs are highly safe and effective and have been an important component of abortion care for decades.

Removing abortion access barriers on public college campuses, Hochul added, may reduce the load on external clinics throughout New York.

This article originally appeared on New York State Team: NY greenlights over-the-counter birth control, expands abortion access