NYC could be first to directly fund abortions under proposal

May 16-- May 16--New York City could become the first in the nation to directly fund abortions as other jurisdictions attempt to limit and even outright ban the procedures.

The city would put $250,000 toward an abortion access fund in next year's budget under a proposal from advocates and Comptroller Scott Stringer.

"Abortion access is under attack in this country, and New York City must lead the way in fighting back," Stringer said in City Hall Park on Wednesday.

The $250,000 could help roughly 500 to 600 patients cover the cost of abortion care, matching the operating budget for the New York Abortion Access Fund. The fund helps anyone who can't cover the full cost of the procedure, whether they live in the state or travel here for care.

"When you have the last few dollars in the bank ... I want you to come to New York City and know there will be no financial barrier to a safe abortion and health care," Stringer said.

In New York, Medicaid can cover abortion, but some don't have insurance that can pay for the procedure, including those with federal coverage. Others may earn too much for Medicaid and can't afford insurance.

"The city relies on the labor of unpaid volunteers to close gaps, and that is not right," said Caitlin Van Horn of the New York Abortion Access Fund.

On Wednesday, Alabama's Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law effectively ban abortion, making performing the procedure at any stage of pregnancy a felony, except in cases when the woman's health is at serious risk. The lawmakers rejected an exception for rape and incest.

The Georgia governor recently signed a bill that bans abortions after doctors can detect a fetal heartbeat, which is usually at six weeks and before many women will know if they're pregnant. Ohio's governor signed a similar bill this year, banning abortions after a heartbeat is detected.

The governor of Mississippi signed another bill banning most abortions after 15 weeks of gestation, and another ban at as early as six weeks is nearing passage in Louisiana.

"It is a shocking and appalling time," said Andrea Miller, president of the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund.

None of the bills are in effect yet, and abortions are still legal and available in those states.

The measures are partially meant to conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision that codified abortion rights nationally -- so the justices might revisit the issue and overturn that landmark decision.

Stringer and advocates said the $250,000 is a "drop in the bucket" in the city's $92.5 billion budget, which must be finalized by Mayor de Blasio and City Council before the end of June.

"The Council has been steadfast in its support and funding of numerous reproductive health services providers over the years," Council spokesman Jacob Tugendrajch said. "We will always stand on the side of a woman's right to make her own health care decisions. We will work with the administration to ensure that these rights are protected."

De Blasio spokesman Raul Contreras said the administration looks forward to reviewing the proposal. "In New York City, we'll always fight to preserve a woman's right to choose," Contreras said.

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