New York City and State Announce $495,000 to Expand Abortion Referral Hub

New York City and New York state are providing $495,000 in new funding to expand the referral network of the New York City Abortion Access Hub, Fox News reported. The city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the state's Department of Health are supplying the money. The announcement came on the fourth anniversary of the U.S.

Supreme Court's 2022 ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. The Hub, launched after that decision, operates as a confidential hotline connecting callers to abortion care, financial assistance, insurance enrollment, transportation and lodging.

Since its launch the Hub has answered more than 10,400 calls and nearly 5,000 live chat messages, according to the press releases. More than half of callers seek medication abortion services, and one-quarter of calls come from outside New York state. The expansion will connect callers with a broader network of abortion providers and support organizations outside the five boroughs.

The releases state that New York State's annual investment will support coordination with providers outside New York City and organizations that assist patients with travel, financial support and lodging. The city's press release lists the state's annual investment at $220,000 while the state's press release lists it at $250,000.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a statement that four years ago the Dobbs decision stripped away a fundamental right and put reproductive health care out of reach for millions.

He added that New York has led the fight to protect abortion care and is expanding the Hub so anyone seeking care can more easily find it. Gov. Kathy Hochul said New York is sending a clear message that it will not let Washington Republicans take the country backwards and that the support expands the reach of the resource so more people have access to safe reproductive health care.