The state of New York has always prided itself on protecting and promoting women’s health. After all, New York is where Planned Parenthood first opened its doors way back in 1916. With a relatively liberal state legislature and a governor who has been a consistent supporter of a woman’s right to make her own health care choices, New York is a good state for women to live. There are no major types of restrictions — no waiting periods, no mandated parental involvement, or limitations on abortion. The state trusts women to make their own health care decisions, in coordination with their family, their faith, and their doctors.
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Most recently, legislators in New York announced a positive initiative to safeguard a woman’s right to make her own medical decisions. A measure that seven out of 10 New York voters support, the Reproductive Health Act, would protect a woman’s right to take or refuse birth control and allow a woman access to late-term abortion if her life or health is at risk. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in his annual State of the State address, pledged to fight for passage of this act that would ensure the right of women to make difficult health care decisions.
In the nation’s largest city, the New York City Department of Education demonstrated its commitment to making sure young people receive access to comprehensive sex education programs that feature reliable, accurate medical information. In August 2011, the department announced that it would mandate comprehensive sex education for public middle and high school students to ensure they have the information to make responsible decisions and stay healthy.
Candidates in the State
Champs: Former Rep. Dan Maffei, Rep. Louise Slaughter
Chumps: Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle
patients Planned Parenthood served last year in New York, providing services including birth control, well-woman exams, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and STD and HIV tests.
the number of breast exams provided
the number of cervical cancer screenings administered each year
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