New York City public hospitals to make abortion care available via telehealth

New York City public hospitals will now offer abortion via telehealth, making NYC Health + Hospitals the first public health system in the US to do so.

Starting this week, patients in New York City seeking abortion care will be able to schedule a Virtual ExpressCare appointment to speak with a New York state-licensed health care professional by video or phone, on-demand, for an assessment and counselling.

If clinically appropriate and prescribed, patients will be able to receive a medication abortion kit at their New York City address within a few days.

This service will be available seven days a week and will provide patients with access to safe, legal abortion care.

NYC Health + Hospitals already offers access to medication and procedural abortion services at their hospital-based clinics. The launch is hoped to further expand New Yorkers’ access to abortion care.

“Here in New York City, we will not allow the far right to continue its crusade to strip women of their reproductive rights,” said New York City mayor, Eric Adams.

“Last year, an activist Supreme Court undermined almost 50 years of settled law by overturning Roe v Wade, but New Yorkers know that access to safe, legal abortion care is the cornerstone of public health, and we will not stand idly by as these attacks on women continue.

“Today, I am proud to announce another first for any city government: Access to abortion care will now be available through telehealth visits at NYC Health + Hospitals sites from the comfort of one’s home.”

He added: “In New York City, we will never stop fighting for a woman’s right to choose the care that is right for them, and we will never stop working to make abortion care more accessible to all New Yorkers.

“Telehealth abortion care allows the people in our lives to make the choices they need privately and safely, so that they can decide what is best for them and their futures. This is about protecting the ability for women to control their own bodies, their choices, and their freedoms.”

Deputy mayor for health and human services, Anne Williams-Isom, said: “Since the Dobbs Supreme Court decision in June of 2022, the city has acted to strengthen access to reproductive care through both the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as well as our city’s public hospital system for any person who needs it.

“Adding Virtual ExpressCare to that suite of options for patients at NYC Health + Hospitals is an important next step in making reproductive health care conversations easy, accessible, and convenient for every person. Thank you to the NYC Health + Hospitals team that makes this work possible.”

Marisa Nádas, MD, MPH, reproductive health clinical lead at NYC Health + Hospitals and associate medical director at Virtual ExpressCare, added: “As our country faces a devastating loss of reproductive rights, New Yorkers should know that they can access safe and legal abortion care.

“By offering access to assessment and counselling for abortion care – as well as the possibility of a remote medication abortion – through Virtual ExpressCare, we are navigating around barriers people face in coming for in-person appointments and further opening up access.”

Wendy Stark, president and CEO at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, described the initiative as a historic win for abortion access in New York City.

“I applaud NYC Health + Hospitals for taking this important stride with telehealth abortion services that allow New Yorkers to access critical abortion care from the comfort of their own homes, without worrying about barriers to care like transportation and significant time off from work,” she said.

“When we make abortion care more accessible, we empower individuals to make the best decisions for themselves, their families, and their futures.”

New York state senator, Liz Krueger, said: “Ensuring that all people have the right to abortion care is not just about legal protections, it’s also about making sure that care is really accessible on the ground.

“Making medication abortion available through telehealth is a critical option for people who, for whatever reason, may not be able to easily get to a doctor’s office or clinic. And it reduces the need for more costly and involved procedures.

“I thank Mayor Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals for making this important option available”

Brad Hoylman-Sigal, New York state senator, added: “Today, New York continues to lead the nation in protecting bodily autonomy.

“While other states roll back reproductive rights and rewind the clock of progress, New York is launching telehealth abortion access: the most accessible and modern form of reproductive health care in the country.

“I applaud mayor Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals for breaking down barriers to this critical form of health care and ensuring New York will always be a safe haven for women across the United States to exercise their right to choose.”

The new telehealth abortion service by NYC Health + Hospitals is based in and for New York City. Patients must attest to being in New York City at the time of the call and must attest that they will be in New York City when they take the medication.

Medication abortion prescribed during a telehealth appointment is available to clinically eligible patients who are up to 10 weeks into their pregnancy. If a patient chooses to receive abortion medication by mail, the address must be in New York City.