The following is the full text of the New York City Council Committee on Women’s Issues’ Resolution 1635-A, commemorating the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and calling on the United States Congress to support funding for comprehensive reproductive health care.
The initial hearing for Resolution 1635-A before committee was held on January 18, 2013. The committee passed the resolution, and on January 23 the full council adopted it.
Whereas, Every woman needs access to a range of safe, affordable and comprehensive reproductive health care throughout her life, including cancer and sexually transmitted infection screenings, contraceptive services, abortion care, prenatal care, and labor and delivery services; and
Whereas, On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court legalized abortion throughout the country with the Roe v. Wade decision; and
Whereas, Since 1973, many states have passed laws limiting women’s ability to access the procedure, often without consideration of maternal health and privacy; and
Whereas, Many of these laws reduce options for women facing major life decisions as well as for the doctors treating them; and
Whereas, According to the Guttmacher Institute, twenty states have laws that could be used to restrict the legal status of abortion if Roe v. Wade were overturned; and
Whereas, In addition, budgetary actions taken by the federal government have increased barriers to accessing such services by restricting abortion coverage for those enrolled in public insurance programs; and
Whereas, When a woman needs to end her pregnancy it is important that she have access to safe medical care, and insurance coverage can help ensure such care is available; and
Whereas, All women, regardless of income, should also have insurance coverage to ensure that economic barriers do not play a role in critical health care decisions and access; and
Whereas, Reproductive health is a vital component of women’s overall health, and reproductive freedom is equally vital to women’s safety and well-being; and
Whereas, For 40 years Roe v. Wade has established women’s rights to make medical choices for themselves and has strengthened their doctors’ ability to make medical decisions based on their best judgment; and
Whereas, Funding family planning services is vital to ensuring women can lead full healthy lives and participate equally in society; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York commemorates the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and calls upon the United States Congress to support funding for comprehensive reproductive health care.
This resolution was authored by the following New York City Council Members: Ferreras, Lappin, Mendez, Arroyo, The Speaker (Council Member Quinn), Mark-Viverito, Koppell, Palma, Brewer, Rose, Weprin, Garodnick, Reyna, Barron, Chin, Comrie, Dromm, Gonzalez, Jackson, James, Koo, Koslowitz, Lander, Recchia, Van Bramer, Wills, Foster, King, Dickens, Gennaro and Levin.