January 24, 2012
Update from New York State Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried

Supporting Reproductive Health Care Rights

The Assembly today passed a resolution calling on Governor Cuomo to proclaim Reproductive Rights and Justice Week, January 22-28. The resolution, K.828, sponsored by Assembly Member Deborah Glick, had been favorably reported from the Assembly Health Committee, chaired by Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried, earlier today. The committee also reported three bills.
"Access to reproductive health care services, essentially primary care for women, is supported by the vast majority of New Yorkers," said Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried. "Making sure that these services remain available is a top priority every year in the Assembly."
The resolution encourages public awareness, conversation, and support for reproductive rights and justice nationwide.
According to the World Health Organization, reproductive and sexual ill health accounts for 20% of the global burden of ill health for women and 14% for men. Services that may be provided by reproductive health clinics include: prenatal care, STD testing, counseling services, birth control, physical exams, health education, and screenings for cancer, diabetes, and other major health risks.

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For more information on the three bills passed by the Assembly Health Committee, please contact the sponsor listed after the description below. For the text of a bill, its supporting memorandum, and information on its status, go to: http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menuf.cgi.
Protecting Sexual Assault Victims - Provides for hospitals to offer prophylaxis HIV drug treatment for victims of sexual assault who may have been exposed to HIV, with financial assistance from the Crime Victims Board. (A.669-A, Jaffee)
Proper Handling of Drug Samples - Establishes record keeping and safety standards for the handling of drug samples in health care practitioner offices, to reduce the risk of dispensing outdated, expired, improperly stored, or adulterated drugs that can cause adverse drug reactions. (A.806, Gottfried)
Blood Donation Drives; Grant Program - Would authorize grants to assist local community groups for conducting blood drives, within amounts appropriated for that purpose. (A.2155, Gottfried)

State Assemblyman Richard Gottfried’s contact info:

822 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248 - Tel: 518-455-4941
250 Broadway, #2232, New York, NY 10007 - Tel: 212-312-1492
GottfrR@assembly.state.ny.us