Abortions will be performed via telemedicine in New York

New York City providers will prescribe and deliver medical abortion pills “on demand” after virtual and telephone appointments, the first program of its kind in the United States, the New York City mayor’s office said in a press release.

The Virtual Express Care program is operated by the city’s Health +Hospitals system and offers doctors and counselors video and televised pregnancy and abortion appointments seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Women up to 10 weeks pregnant can participate in the program.

ExpressCare is a service that allows patients to receive virtual care from a NYC Health + Hospitals physician using a smartphone, tablet or computer. If clinically indicated and prescribed, patients will be able to receive a medical abortion kit at their New York address within a few days.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the program is a response to a controversial U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down federal abortion rights last year. This right was first established by the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. However, New York still has one of the strictest abortion laws in the country.

“Here in New York, we will not allow the far right to continue their crusade to deny women their reproductive rights,” Adams said in a statement. “Abortion services will now be available through telemedicine visits to NYC Health + Hospitals clinics from the comfort of your home.”

Financial questions

Health + Hospitals serves patients regardless of their ability to pay. However, the new televised appointments and abortion services will be billed like any other service, so patients with insurance may have to pay a copay.

On the subject: Medical marijuana in New York is allowed to be prescribed for any illness

If patients can’t pay for services or don’t have insurance, Virtual ExpressCare will help and connect them with qualified financial counselors who can help them get health insurance or financial assistance through NYC Care, Medicaid, and Medicare at a minimal fee per visit. depending on income and family size.

“Last year, the Supreme Court struck down federal abortion rights, but New Yorkers know that access to safe and legal abortion is a cornerstone of public health, and we will not stand idly by in the face of these attacks on women,” Adams said in announcing on expanding access to abortion.

Protection Initiatives

In New York, we will never stop fighting for a woman’s right to choose the health care that’s right for her, and we will never stop working to make abortion more accessible to all New Yorkers.” Telemedicine abortion care allows the people in our lives to make the necessary choices privately and safely so they can decide what is best for them and their future. This is about protecting women’s ability to control their bodies, their choices and their freedoms,” Adams said.

The mayor noted that the new abortion service was created in addition to others related to reproductive care following the Supreme Court decision. The city previously announced the creation of an Abortion Access Hub, which confidentially refers callers for abortions, as well as the introduction of free medication abortion at the city’s sexual health clinics.