“And so when you start getting tired […] your legs get so tired, you can’t march on; your voices get so hoarse, you can’t scream anymore; your fingers get exhausted because you’ve been sending so many text messages and Signal messages out there,” New York State Governor Kathy Hochul looked up from the podium at the hundreds of activists attending Planned Parenthood’s Day of Action 2025. “I’m saying, keep moving on. We must meet this moment with strength […] the same strength that we channel from our ancestors, our sisters who came before us. […] We are New York women! There is no stopping us!”
Her message resonated with Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s motto, “Act. No matter what.” Activists, undeterred by doubts and concerns, packed The Well of the Legislative Office Building. Adorned in pink scarves, they permeated the massive halls with cheers, applause, and fists raised in solidarity. Confidence filled the air, emphasizing an awareness that only through action, not passivity, can true progress be made.
These activists from all across the state journeyed to Albany, with many traveling several hours to advocate for key legislative objectives. A rallying cry sent waves of excitement through the crowd, “No freedom without access,” encapsulating the gravity of the event. Their energy centered on lobbying assembly members and state senators to pass legislation addressing three critical priorities.
Ending Mandatory Abortion Reporting
In each activist’s hand, “Actions to Advance Access in New York in 2025,” an 11”x6” notecard breaking down the three priorities and how they would further advance on progress made by the NY ERA. According to the Columbia Law School ERA Project, the NY ERA bars discrimination on the basis of “[…] pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy under the umbrella of sex discrimination,” meaning that New York State will “[…] protect against efforts to penalize and control people over their reproductive choices.”
Despite the aforementioned protections outlined by the NY ERA, New York State enforces mandated reporting requirements, compelling providers to disclose individual abortion data to local and state governments. This mandate contradicts NY ERA protections aimed at preventing the penalization or coercion of individuals seeking such care, and sparking concerns about data security and safety should this information be compromised by hostile actors. Proposed legislation in the Assembly (A.4023/Paulin) and Senate (S.3173/Hinchey) addresses this issue, and activists were mobilized to engage with assembly members and state senators, advocating for the elimination of the mandatory reporting provision.
During pre-lobbying strategy sessions, a young woman, who preferred not to disclose her identity, shared her near-death experience with Veris Media Group LLC. She revealed that doctors diagnosed her with a severe case of preeclampsia, compelling her to travel from Texas to New York for an abortion, a decision she credits with saving her life. However, the fear of repercussions remains. “I can never return home. They can send me to prison […] fine me […] or even kill me,” she exclaimed. Her anxiety extended to the possibility of hackers breaching the abortion database and exposing her details on the dark web, fearing the consequences if her name were to be discovered by family or friends.
Support for New Investments in Sexual and Reproductive Health
Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) President and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Russell, discussed funding concerns during an interview with Veris Media Group LLC. Russell emphasized that Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget includes two new critical investments in sexual and reproductive healthcare, where there is a pressing need for funding.
According to the “Actions to Advance Access in New York in 2025” notecard, these investments include: “[…] $20M in grant funding to support the provision of medication abortion and care later in pregnancy, and $15M for the Reproductive Health Care Improvement Program, capital funding for reproductive health care providers to support infrastructure improvements and to modernize security.”
A significant factor driving the need for these investments is the disparity in medication abortion reimbursement rates within New York State’s Medicaid program. “[…] We’ve been asking for years for the Department of Health to increase those rates in Medicaid,” Russell said. He pointed out that the current rates result in financial losses for the organization. “We want to be more on par with states like California and Illinois” to ensure financial sustainability.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), a key challenge impacting the increase in reimbursement rates for medication abortion is the Hyde Amendment. This amendment restricts the use of federal funds for abortion, with only limited exceptions. Consequently, 17 states, such as New York, have had to utilize their own funds to cover abortion costs for low-income patients under Medicaid. This results in a considerable strain on state budgets.
Another key obstacle is the fluctuation or variability in payment rates. In New York State, Medicaid reimburses the documented cost for medication abortion. This reimbursement method implies that as supplier and therefore provider expenses escalate, the providers are accountable for covering the additional costs.
Additionally, Russell highlights the crucial importance of bolstering security measures to safeguard Planned Parenthood staff and patients. In 2022, Michelle Davidson, Security Director at National Abortion Federation, observed that “anti-abortion extremists […] shifted their attention to protective states after dozens of clinics were forced to close in states that banned abortion, which has led to alarming levels of disruption for many of these clinics.” Russell emphasized the significance of the Reproductive Health Care Improvement Program, “[…] it will allow us to invest into our infrastructures and make sure that we’re protected in the current environment.”
Increase Funding for the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Program
New York launched the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Program (RFEP) in 2022 to enhance access to abortion care and reproductive healthcare. However, many service providers urgently needed cash infusions to retain existing abortion access points faltering under decades of underinvestment. Despite subsequent investments of $25M annually from Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget, the program is facing exponentially growing demands for abortion care and reproductive healthcare services alongside rising costs to provide these services.
In a 2024 testimony by the National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) at the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Health and Medicaid, the urgent call was made for New York to establish “sustained, long-term investments in reproductive health.” The goal being to close the gap between the legality of care and its actual accessibility and equity.
Simultaneous to these urgent calls, The 19th reports that legislators in “Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Tennessee have filed bills that would further curb access.” Russell confirmed to Veris Media Group LLC that Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) has seen the number of “[…] patients from out of state seeking abortions here at our health centers […] remain steady.”
Political Response
At the conclusion of Day of Action 2025, Veris Media Group LLC had the opportunity to engage in a lobbying session to address legislative priorities with designated politicians. Notably, interactions with members of the Republican party were marked by significant opposition. “The right has painted us as an abortion only provider,” remarks Russell, “but we are really an essential public health entity that provides many, many preventative services […] to the communities we serve.”
As we started making our rounds, we stopped at the office of Assemblyman Michael J. Fitzpatrick (R-NY-8). When he observed the pink scarves, he immediately shook his head and refused to speak with us, asking us to leave before we could explain our purpose. When informed that constituents from his district were present and wanted to share their concerns, he remained dismissive.
Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo (R-NY-7) recognized our group when we arrived at his office, but his Legislative Director mentioned that he was unavailable due to a phone call. Veris Media Group LLC inquired if he could comment on Planned Parenthood’s legislative priorities after the call. The Legislative Director requested that we return in ten minutes. However, when we came back, we were informed that the assembly member had already left for the day.
Senator Dean Murray (R-NY-3) was the final Republican on the list of designated politicians. He strongly opposes abortion services and reproductive healthcare. On January 14, 2025, Murray introduced two bills: S.1970, which requires parental notice before an abortion can be performed on an unemancipated minor—defined as someone under 18—and allows for limited waivers of this notice; and S.1978, which prohibits the use of state funds for non-residents seeking an abortion or any procedure that intentionally ends a pregnancy at any stage. The group was unable to meet with Senator Murray, so they left educational materials in his mailbox. Veris Media Group LLC attempted to contact his office for a statement but has not yet received a reply.
The group’s initial meeting with the Democratic party included Sara Alimoradi, a Legislative Fellow for Senator Peter Harckham (D-NY-40). Each group member was provided ample time to share Planned Parenthood’s legislative priorities and explain their importance for enhancing state protections and access to abortion services and reproductive healthcare. Alimoradi listened intently, took notes for the Senator, and assured the group of the Senator’s likely support for their priorities.
The final meeting was with Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D-NY-4), a first-term assembly member who welcomed the group in person. She showed great enthusiasm for Planned Parenthood’s legislative priorities, asking insightful questions to fully grasp the purpose, and recognizing the critical importance of the legislation in today’s political climate. Donning a pink scarf, she posed for a photo with the group, highlighting her support and solidarity.
In a political climate where abortion services and reproductive health care are increasingly criminalized by restrictive laws, it’s easy for activists to feel discouraged, or succumb to defeat. However, during Planned Parenthood’s Day of Action 2025, Veris Media Group LLC witnessed a different story. Activists stepped up to advocate for vulnerable populations who need access to these services, urging state leaders to ensure no one is turned away.
This movement united activists from diverse backgrounds and identities, all focused on a shared goal. With the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly trans and non-binary individuals, experiencing ongoing threats to their rights; we are eager to see how Planned Parenthood plans to advocate for protections and access for this vulnerable group next.
For more information on how increased funding can ensure fair access to reproductive healthcare, please check out Planned Parenthood’s Budget One-Pager.