WHEREAS, since the first women"TMs rights convention in 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York has been a leader in advancing women"TMs equality;
WHEREAS, providing access for each woman to the full range of reproductive healthcare services she needs, including the contraception services that are best for her, reduces unintended pregnancy and is crucial to ensuring gender equality;
WHEREAS, it is the policy of New York State that all people have the right to decide if, when and how to build their families;
WHEREAS, in the face of federal threats to reproductive rights in 2017, New York took aggressive action by issuing regulations to expand and protect insurance coverage for contraception and medically necessary abortion services;
WHEREAS, with the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy from the United States Supreme Court and the growth of attacks by the federal government on access to comprehensive reproductive health, it is more critical than ever to protect access to reproductive rights; and
WHEREAS, New York is committed to not only protecting, but expanding full, affordable, and timely access to contraceptives, including emergency contraceptives regardless of federal actions.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 8.184