Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to enable providers who prescribe medications used to perform abortions to request that the dispensing pharmacy print the name of their practice on prescription labels instead of their personal name. Despite attacks on reproductive rights from other states and the federal government, Governor Hochul affirmed her commitment that New York will remain a safe harbor for anyone seeking or providing reproductive health care

“Reproductive freedom will always be protected in the State of New York — and I’ll never back down from this fight,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m taking action to strengthen protections for health care professionals and their patients, ensuring New York is a safe haven for anyone providing or receiving reproductive care. At a time when fundamental rights are under attack across the country, we are doubling down on our commitment to safeguard access to reproductive health care and defend those on 

Protecting the Privacy of Providers and Strengthening New York’s Shield Law

Following the Supreme Court’s troubling decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in June 2022, various states across the nation have taken steps to limit access to abortion services. As of October 2024, 21 states enacted laws that impose greater restrictions than those previously allowed under Roe v. Wade. Among these, 13 states effectively implemented a complete ban, while another four states prohibited abortions after six weeks — a time when many women may not even realize they are pregnant. Over half of women aged 18-49 live in states with some form of abortion restrictions.

Legislation S.36A/A.2145A enhances New York’s shield law by offering additional protections for doctors prescribing medications used to perform abortions to patients in hostile states. This bill would allow prescribers to ask that the dispensing pharmacy print the name of their practice instead of their personal names on the prescription labels for mifepristone, misoprostol and generic alternatives. Governor Hochul reached an agreement with the Legislature to further strengthen these protections. The new measure allows providers to request that their practice address be listed instead, requires notice to the patient, and ensures that pharmacies assist with this protective measure.

Medication abortion has emerged as a crucial option for many individuals seeking abortions in states with hostile laws. In 2023, Governor Hochul signed legislation enacting a telehealth shield law (Chapter 138 of the laws of 2023), designed to provide extensive protection for New York-based doctors serving patients in those restrictive states through telehealth. This legislation safeguards health care practitioners in New York from states that may attempt to impose criminal penalties on them and offers protection from professional disciplinary actions or adverse decisions from medical malpractice insurers. 

Thanks to New York’s shield law, providers in the State can provide medication used to treat abortion to patients in hostile states, assisting women who might otherwise struggle to access abortion care. Research from the Society for Family Planning indicates that one in five abortions conducted in December 2023 were via telehealth, with an estimated 48 percent of these procedures performed by doctors in states with shield laws like New York’s.

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “This bill is a direct response to the growing attacks on reproductive rights nationwide. While other states escalate efforts to criminalize abortion, New York stands firm. We will not allow anti-abortion extremists to intimidate providers or block access to care. I want to thank Senator Mayer for sponsoring this bill and Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to reproductive justice. Together, we’re sending a clear message: New York will continue to fight against those who seek to criminalize abortion and will stand firm for everyone’s right to make decisions about their own body and future.”

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “These laws provide critical protections to our doctors and secure New York’s status as a sanctuary for women seeking access to reproductive care. The Assembly Majority is committed to fighting for a future where women can control their own healthcare decisions without the senseless intrusion of politics. We will continue to work with our state partners to ensure that our healthcare professionals have the legal protections they need to provide care to women across the country.”

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “Today, we take another step to keep New York State in the national leadership in the fight to protect abortion rights. With Governor Hochul’s signature, the bill I sponsored, along with Assemblymember Karines Reyes, R.N., will help strengthen New York’s existing telehealth shield law, providing additional protection to the New York doctors who are helping women in hostile states access abortion. The threats to these doctors are no longer abstract as officials in these states have attacked New York physicians and our laws. This legislation represents a renewal of our commitment to women nationwide and the brave doctors who provide them essential health care. Thank you to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for your continued leadership on this key issue, and deepest thanks to Governor Hochul for signing this critical, life-saving legislation into law. Most importantly, I want to thank the providers whose service reminds us that we can never back down in a fight for our rights.

Assemblymember Karines Reyes said, “As our country's women and pregnant persons face the draconian policies of the new Trump Administration in the post-Dobbs landscape, creative solutions are required to achieve reproductive justice. I am honored to join my colleague, Senator Shelly Mayer, in celebrating the passage and enactment of legislation that will enhance our state's existing abortion telemedicine law by better protecting physicians from personal prosecution and allowing the medical practices to be listed as the requesting entity for prescriptions. This will ensure that as states continue to wrongly exhibit hostility toward women and pregnant persons in our society, New York State will be a leader in promoting personal freedom and access to quality health care. I am thankful that Governor Hochul will take the bold step, as our state’s first woman Governor and mother in the role, to sign this pivotal legislation into law.”

Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State Commitment to ​​Protecting Reproductive Rights and Access to Abo

Sustaining the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Fund

The Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Fund was created by Governor Hochul in May 2022 to enhance abortion access and was codified in the State Fiscal Year 2025 budget. This initiative addresses the need for expanded reproductive health care services in New York. The fund has supported reproductive health providers and critical support programs to ensure equitable access to abortion care across the State. This year, Governor Hochul will distribute $25 million in funding for the program, with a focus on strengthening access to comprehensive reproductive care for all New Yorkers.

Fairly Reimbursing Providers for Abortion Services

For many years, reproductive health providers have not received funding that is adequate to cover the full costs of medication abortion care and other abortion services. As a result, too many providers have been under immense financial pressures while trying to accomplish their mission of providing safe and accessible abortion care to individuals across the State. Governor Hochul will provide a new flexible funding stream of $20 million to allow providers to better adapt to this possible impact of the incoming federal administration and ensure that these providers are fairly reimbursed for providing abortions.

Strengthening Reproductive Health Care Infrastructure

Many reproductive health care facilities in New York are in need of critical infrastructure updates in order to provide the full range of comprehensive services. Building on New York's investment in reproductive health providers through the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Fund and security grant funding, Governor Hochul will expand the funding to support critical capital investments for providers. These funds will enable renovations, equipment upgrades, planning and construction to help facilities modernize and secure their operations. This action aims to ensure a broader network of providers can deliver high-quality reproductive health care to all New Yorkers.

Safeguarding Abortion as Emergency Medical Care

The federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act mandates that hospitals provide stabilizing care for patients with emergency medical conditions, regardless of their ability to pay. However, abortion is not explicitly defined as emergency medical care under New York law. Governor Hochul has prioritized protecting reproductive rights and ensuring equitable access to care. To address this gap, she will codify abortion as protected emergency medical care in New York State and require hospitals to provide this stabilizing emergency medical care, reinforcing access to abortion services when medically necessary.

State Senator Liz Krueger said, “Every step we take to protect abortion access in New York is critical, and I’m glad to see Governor Hochul signing this legislation to strengthen our Shield Law and protect providers delivering critical healthcare. But there is more work to be done, including signing health data privacy legislation and providing funding to expand training for more abortion providers.”

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Healthcare is being criminalized in real time, and our medical professionals are being targeted, their lives and futures at risk simply for doing their jobs. The State of New York will not stand for it. We are a safe haven for reproductive freedom, and we will always fight to protect our healthcare providers and ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors can access the care they need—no matter the attacks we face from states trying to strip away these rights. I thank Governor Hochul for her steady leadership and Senator Shelley Mayer for sponsoring this vital legislation to safeguard the privacy of New York's healthcare providers.”

State Senator Lea Webb said, “As Chair of the Women’s Issues Committee, I am proud to continue championing legislation that protects the rights and safety of those providing and accessing reproductive healthcare. This legislation is a critical step in ensuring privacy and security for healthcare providers, allowing them to continue their essential work without fear. I stand with Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Attorney General James, Senator Mayer and all my colleagues in support of our medical providers and their efforts to ensure that medication abortion— which is safe and effective — is available to all who need it.”

Assemblymember Amy Paulin said, “I thank Governor Hochul for her actions today, which reaffirm her steadfast commitment to make New York State a safe haven for reproductive freedom and care. Although women around the country are facing tremendous obstacles in accessing abortion care, Governor Hochul embodies New York’s resolve to fight back against these continued attacks on reproductive freedom.”

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said, “While the Trump administration and some hostile states wage a war on women and their bodies, New York State will remain a safe haven for those seeking or providing reproductive health care. Nearly three years ago, my bills to protect medical providers against professional misconduct charges and adverse medical malpractice actions for providing reproductive healthcare became law. However, as we've seen, there is no end to the efforts of those who want to end a woman's right to bodily autonomy. I thank Governor Hochul for signing into law today another measure that will shield medical providers and preserve access to medication abortion drugs. I look forward to further efforts to protect patients and providers, ensure fair reimbursement and protect the privacy of those seeking care.”

Assemblymember Catalina Cruz said, “In the face of relentless attacks on reproductive rights, New York is standing strong as a safe haven for both patients and providers,” said Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz. “By allowing prescribers to shield their personal information on medication abortion labels, this legislation ensures that those who provide essential reproductive health care can continue to do so without fear of harassment or retaliation. I commend Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to protecting reproductive freedom and ensuring that no one in New York is forced to choose between providing care and their own safety. I also congratulate Assemblymember Karines Reyes and Senator Shelley Mayer for their leadership in sponsoring this crucial legislation and for their continued dedication to protecting access to reproductive health care in our state.”

Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas said, “The Trump administration has already proven it will be an incredibly hostile White House to our reproductive health and freedom. We must use every tool in our toolbox and outside of it to combat this rise of fascism. We cannot go back. I thank Governor Hochul for her decisive action to protect our abortion providers and sustaining the funding for the Reproductive Freedom and Equity grant program we codified into law last year. This new wave of assaults will require us to be flexible but bold in our resistance. Whether it's reproductive healthcare or gender-affirming care New York must and will lead.”