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important point
- New York City offers free medical abortion to patients at four city-run clinics.
- Abortion drugs are now available to people living outside of New York, and clinics don’t check patients’ immigration or insurance status.
- Abortion care has become less accessible in many parts of the United States after the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision last summer.
New York City last week became the first city in the United States to start offering free abortion pills at city-run clinics.
Clinics can dispense up to 10,000 abortion pills each year, not including those provided by 11 public hospitals. However, unlike hospitals, clinics do not require insurance or ask patients about their insurance status.
The city has started offering abortion pills at its sexual health clinic in the Bronx, and plans to dispense pills at three clinics in Brooklyn, Harlem and Queens by the end of the year. These clinics have historically served low-income individuals.
Many states have severely restricted access to abortion care after a 2022 Supreme Court overturning ruling. Law vs Wadea landmark case that recognized the constitutional right to abortion.
New York City said medical abortion services are available to anyone in need, inside or outside New York City.
“Frankly, the Supreme Court has set the country back on the quality of care available to its people,” New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said in a statement to Verywell. The services we have expanded since the devastating Dobbs decision reflect our commitment to lead when our national governments get stuck.
In August, Mayor Eric Adams signed a $1.2 million maternal and reproductive care package, paving the way for free medical abortions in Department of Health clinics.
The city also operates the Abortion Access Hub, a covert link between abortion seekers and providers.
In light of federal restrictions on abortion care, public health departments have a responsibility to care for people’s reproductive health care, including education about abortion and granting access to abortion care. Guttmacher Institute he told Verywell.
“In a country that currently does not have federally protected abortion rights, how will states, local governments, communities and health departments strengthen and ensure access? , I think this New York City example is really a prime example of that,” Fuentes said.
What is medical abortion?
Mifepristone and misoprostol together constitute an abortion drug. Medical abortions accounted for more than half of all abortions performed in the United States in 2020.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2021 about 96% of abortions were performed in clinics rather than hospitals or clinics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it would allow pills to be mailed, eliminating the need to take the first dose in person at a clinic or hospital. This change may have increased the proportion of people undergoing self-administered medical abortions rather than surgical procedures.
Earlier this month, the FDA allowed licensed pharmacies to dispense the abortion drug mifepristone to people with a prescription.
New Yorkers can get an abortion for any reason up to 24 weeks pregnant, or if the pregnant person’s health is in danger or the pregnancy is not viable.
Making medical abortion free and available is an important part of the program, Fuentes said. Lowering cost barriers allows people to access care more quickly and reduces the risk of complications. It also ensures that young people, those on low incomes, or those who are otherwise struggling to fund abortion services, receive the care they need.
New York City also offers services that connect abortion seekers with financial assistance for travel and lodging.
“People were traveling to New York state for pre-abortion care.egg‘ said Fuentes. “The fact that it’s probably happening now is disappointing, but encouraging that the city is working to meet the need.”
In the United States, about 1 in 9 people who can conceive do not have health insurance. The cost of an abortion procedure can range from $500 to thousands of dollars. This does not include transportation, childcare or accommodation costs.
It is also well documented that blacks, browns, and indigenous peoples are also disadvantaged when seeking abortion care because of economic disadvantages and racial discrimination in the health care system.
“It is common for people to delay abortion care for days, if not weeks, trying to save money and find resources to cover the costs,” Fuentes said. . “The fact that treatment is delayed because of costs, abortion restrictions, etc. is problematic and unethical.”
what this means for you
Abortion care resources vary by state. Contact the National Abortion Federation or INeedAnA.com for access to abortion care. Find an abortion care fund in your state to help pay for an abortion near you or to help you travel to states where abortion is legal.
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