Letter To The Editor: Reject Reproductive Health Act Myths

To the Editor:

With the passing of the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) on January 22, 2019, certain elected and formerly elected officials have perpetuated erroneous and deliberately inflammatory claims about what the RHA does.

The facts of the RHA are clear:

1. Since 1970, abortion has been legal in New York State, but remained "on the books" in the criminal code. As abortion is not a crime, the RHA moves abortion out of the criminal code and into the health code where it belongs.

2. The RHA ensures a woman may remain in New York to access abortion healthcare in the event of a medical disaster that renders her life in danger, or if the fetus is not viable.

3. Licensed healthcare professionals, such as physician assistants and certified nurse midwives, do indeed have the authority to provide non-surgical abortion care within their scope of practice. The RHA confirms this point.

Understand the facts. Reject the myths.

Elise-Ann Konstantin

Cortlandt Manor