This post was written by Elizabeth Adams, Director of Government Relations, Planned Parenthood of New York City as part of our PowHer the Vote 2017 campaign.
We are facing unprecedented attacks at the federal level against sexual and reproductive health and rights. The Trump Administration and its supporters in Congress are intent on defunding Planned Parenthood, gutting basic health care coverage including contraception, reinstating ineffective, abstinence-only sex ed, and restricting access to services because of a person’s income or immigration status. So we need our local legislative leaders to do more to protect access to health care than ever before.
This November, it is critical that we elect local leaders who will prioritize sexual and reproductive health and rights and commit to standing with Planned Parenthood. The Mayor and City Council secure direct resources for the city’s communities and help advance rights and protections for New Yorkers. And while New York City has a strong record of supporting health care access, there are still steps we must take locally to fight back against the Trump administration and become a leader in advancing a proactive progressive platform that expands access to reproductive health and rights.
What’s at Stake for New Yorkers
1. Washington politicians are intent on passing legislation to defund Planned Parenthood and shut down our health centers. Despite multiple failed attempts at repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Trump administration and Congress are working to end our patients’ ability to use Medicaid at our health centers and cut the Title X Family Planning Program, which would severely restrict New Yorkers’ access to care. Planned Parenthood of New York City provides care to all who walk through our doors, regardless of their gender identity, income, insurance or immigration status. These cuts would disproportionately harm communities of color, immigrants, and low-income New Yorkers.
New York can and must ensure that no matter what happens at the federal level, New Yorkers are still able to access confidential, high-quality care at Planned Parenthood health centers.
2. The Trump administration is rolling back funding for medically-accurate education and Title IX protections for student survivors of sexual assault, while increasing support for abstinence-only education in schools. Comprehensive sexuality education works, yet the federal government is set on advancing harmful and stigmatizing abstinence-only education, and making it harder for students to learn about prevention, consent, healthy relationships, LGBTQ health, and gender identity and inclusion.
New York City requires middle and high schools to offer at least one semester of health education that includes sexuality education, yet currently, receiving this bare minimum. Students deserve comprehensive K-12 sexuality education that builds upon foundational lessons of respect, love, personal boundaries and responsibility, to cement critical lessons later on that teach healthy intimate relationships, positive body image, consent and communication, and STD prevention and contraception. Teachers and administrators also need adequate resources and support to provide the education our students deserve. Now is the time for New York City to be a nationwide leader on sexual health education.
3. Finally, last week, the federal government struck down essential health care protections of the Affordable Care Act, including a sweeping new rule to eliminate the requirement that all insurance plans must cover birth control without a co-pay or otherwise ensure access for women whose employers or schools can legally opt out of providing coverage. This takes direct aim at birth control coverage for 62 million nationwide, including 4 million in New York State.
It is more critical than ever that New York State and New York City legislators strengthen our contraception laws to guarantee accessible and affordable contraception, hold employers accountable, and ensure equitable coverage of health care services.
Local elections have the most direct impact on constituents’ day-to-day lives. We can do more to achieve comprehensive sexual health education and expand health care access for all New Yorkers by acting locally on these issues.
In the recent New York City Primary election, three Democratic candidates in the Bronx who are opposed to sexual and reproductive rights won their City Council primary races against young progressives. These candidates could end up holding leadership positions in the Council and block critical legislation or needed funding. At the state level, the New York Senate is controlled by an anti-reproductive health majority, which includes four Senators from right here in New York City.
We need local leaders who are committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, and who will make New York City a national leader on health equity. Vote on November 7 and make your voice heard.