After Opposing Abortion Law, Queens Pol Rethinks Abortion Access

QUEENS, NY — In 2019, New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo voted against the Reproductive Health Act, which codified Roe v. Wade into New York's constitution and expanded reproductive health rights during pregnancy.

The Queens Democrat, who was the sole member of the conference to oppose the act at the time, said he was concerned about abortions after 24 weeks, which were legalized in certain cases under the law. (Health experts say these procedures are typically sought in cases where the woman's life is at risk or there are fetal abnormalities.)

Addabbo's vote angered constituents who felt he'd misrepresented his stance on the bill to gain reelection. In an interview at the time he said it was "debatable" if the woman or fetus' life was more important.

The Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, though, has (somewhat) changed the State Senator's stance on abortion access, and moved him to center "women's issues" ahead of the 2023 legislative session, he said.

"I understand abortion access is an issue we have to deal with and address because of the Supreme Court," Addabbo told Patch, noting that he voted in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment, which, among other things, aims to add explicit protections for New Yorkers seeking abortion care.

He also sponsored an expansion to New York's paid family leave law and wants to help get prenatal vitamins covered by insurance — a bill that passed the Senate ahead of its summer recess, but will have to pass both chambers next year in order to become law.

"I will continue to advocate for this bill," he said in a statement about the prenatal vitamin legislature. "[It's] a personal priority for me, along with other women's issues."

The State Senator, though, hasn't changed his opinion, per-say, on abortion.

Asked if his stance on the Reproductive Health Act has changed he said, "I have an issue with late term abortions but [the RHA is] the law of the land and I respect the law of the land."

Ultimately, though, he sees a health benefit to enshrining at least some abortion protections.

"Whether you're in favor of abortion or not it's still going to happen, but [without legalization] it would be unsafe," he said, echoing the perspective of experts.

"You want to make [abortion] as safe as possible, that's my position."

On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a list of New York City-area abortion providers that will get $10 million as the state positions itself as a national "safe harbor" for abortion access.