October 2, 2023

Watch the video right here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1Dydldy3os

NYC Health + Hospitals’ Virtual Expresscare Telehealth Service Allows Patients in NYC to Speak With Providers On-Demand Via Video or Phone From Comfort of Own Home, Becoming First Public Health System in Nation to Offer Service

All Patients Considering Abortion Care Assessed by Clinicians and Provided Education and Options, Patients Pursuing Abortion Then Guided to Access Medication Via Mail or In-Person Appointment

If Clinically Appropriate and Prescribed, Medication Abortion Kits Would Arrive at NYC Address Within Days

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals right this moment launched telehealth abortion entry by means of Virtual ExpressCare – changing into the primary public well being system within the nation to take action – and additional increasing New Yorkers’ entry to abortion care whereas Americans’ reproductive rights stay beneath assault throughout the nation. Beginning this week, sufferers in New York City looking for abortion care will be capable to schedule a Virtual SpecificCare appointment to talk with a New York state-licensed well being care skilled by video or telephone, on-demand, for an evaluation and counseling. If clinically acceptable and prescribed, sufferers will be capable to obtain a medicine abortion equipment at their New York City handle inside a couple of days.

This service can be out there seven days every week, between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM, and can present sufferers with entry to secure, authorized abortion care. NYC Health + Hospitals provides entry to a full spectrum of medicine and procedural abortion providers at their hospital-based clinics, and this launch will broaden care to incorporate telehealth medicine abortion. Patients can entry telehealth abortion care online or by calling (718) 360-8981. Patients wishing to make an in-person appointment for obstetric and gynecologic providers, together with abortion care, ought to name (844) NYC-4NYC.

“Here in New York City, we will not allow the far right to continue its crusade to strip women of their reproductive rights. Last year, an activist Supreme Court undermined almost 50 years of settled law by overturning Roe v. Wade, but New Yorkers know that access to safe, legal abortion care is the cornerstone of public health, and we will not stand idly by as these attacks on women continue,” mentioned Mayor Adams. “Today, I am proud to announce another first for any city government: Access to abortion care will now be available through telehealth visits at NYC Health + Hospitals sites from the comfort of one’s home. In New York City, we will never stop fighting for a woman’s right to choose the care that is right for them, and we will never stop working to make abortion care more accessible to all New Yorkers. Telehealth abortion care allows the people in our lives to make the choices they need privately and safely, so that they can decide what is best for them and their futures. This is about protecting the ability for women to control their own bodies, their choices, and their freedoms.”

“Since the Dobbs Supreme Court decision in June of 2022, the city has acted to strengthen access to reproductive care through both the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as well as our city’s public hospital system for any person who needs it,” mentioned Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Adding Virtual ExpressCare to that suite of options for patients at NYC Health + Hospitals is an important next step in making reproductive health care conversations easy, accessible, and convenient for every person. Thank you to the NYC Health + Hospitals team that makes this work possible.”

“NYC Health + Hospitals’ Virtual ExpressCare makes it easy and convenient to access care, and we are excited to expand the service to include abortion care,” mentioned Erfan Karim, MPH, government director, Virtual SpecificCare, NYC Health + Hospitals. “When you contact Virtual ExpressCare, you will be connected to a provider on-demand. We’re here to provide you confidential, immediate care.”

“As our country faces a devastating loss of reproductive rights, New Yorkers should know that they can access safe and legal abortion care from NYC Health + Hospitals,” mentioned Marisa Nádas, MD, MPH, reproductive well being medical lead, NYC Health + Hospitals; affiliate medical director, Virtual SpecificCare. “By offering access to assessment and counseling for abortion care – as well as the possibility of a remote medication abortion – through Virtual ExpressCare, we are navigating around barriers people face in coming for in-person appointments and further opening up access.”

The new telehealth abortion service by NYC Health + Hospitals is predicated in and for New York City. Patients should attest to being in New York City on the time of the decision and should attest that they are going to be in New York City after they take the medicine. If a affected person chooses to obtain abortion medicine by mail, the handle should be in New York City. Medication abortion prescribed throughout a telehealth appointment is accessible to clinically eligible sufferers who’re as much as 10 weeks into their being pregnant.

This new service builds on a variety of providers the Adams administration has introduced within the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s determination in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization final 12 months – wherein the nation’s highest court docket dominated to successfully overturn Roe v. Wade after virtually 50 years of precedent. Since that call final 12 months, Mayor Adams has launched the Abortion Access Hub to confidentially refer callers to abortion care, rolled out no-cost medication abortion on the metropolis’s sexual well being clinics, and signed legislation strengthening abortion protections for New Yorkers.

Today’s announcement expands NYC Health + Hospitals’ big selection of facility-based obstetric and gynecologic providers, together with main care, household planning, abortion care, prenatal by means of supply care, midwifery and referrals for doula providers, postpartum care, breastfeeding and lactation providers, breast exams, vitamin, behavioral well being referrals, preventive care, and vaccinations. Gynecology providers embody menopause and fibroid therapies, in addition to specialty practices for gynecologic cancers, pelvic ache, and endometriosis. Patients wishing to make an in-person appointment ought to name (844) NYC-4NYC.

NYC Health + Hospitals’ Virtual SpecificCare is accessible in over 200 languages. In addition to abortion care, sufferers can obtain quick and confidential look after an array of bodily and behavioral well being considerations, together with COVID-19, minor accidents, fever and flu, higher respiratory infections, nervousness, melancholy, and substance use points. Virtual SpecificCare is accessible 24/7, 12 months a 12 months to all New Yorkers online or by calling (631) EXP-Care (397-2273).

NYC Health + Hospitals serves sufferers no matter their potential to pay. The new entry to telehealth abortion care can be lined like some other service. Patients with insurance coverage could have to pay a copay. If sufferers can not afford to pay for the service or are uninsured, Virtual SpecificCare will present care and join sufferers to educated monetary counselors who can assist them enroll in medical insurance protection or monetary help by means of NYC Care, Medicaid, and Medicare, with per-visit charges as little as $0, relying on sufferers’ revenue and household measurement.

“Healthcare is a human right and that includes reproductive health,” mentioned New York City Councilmember Lynn Schulman, chair, Health Committee. “Today’s announcement of an innovative telehealth abortion initiative is a welcome and vitally needed service, especially after last year’s Supreme Court reversal of reproductive choice. I want to thank Mayor Adams for his continued commitment to the health care of all New Yorkers.”

“Today marks a historic win for abortion access in New York City,” mentioned Wendy Stark, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. “I applaud NYC Health + Hospitals for taking this important stride with telehealth abortion services that allow New Yorkers to access critical abortion care from the comfort of their own homes, without worrying about barriers to care like transportation and significant time off from work. When we make abortion care more accessible, we empower individuals to make the best decisions for themselves, their families, and their futures.”

State Senator Liz Krueger mentioned: “Ensuring that all people have the right to abortion care is not just about legal protections, it’s also about making sure that care is really accessible on the ground. Making medication abortion available through telehealth is a critical option for people who, for whatever reason, may not be able to easily get to a doctor’s office or clinic. And it reduces the need for more costly and involved procedures. I thank Mayor Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals for making this important option available.”

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal mentioned: “Today, New York continues to lead the nation in protecting bodily autonomy. While other states roll back reproductive rights and rewind the clock of progress, New York is launching telehealth abortion access: the most accessible and modern form of reproductive health care in the country. I applaud Mayor Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals for breaking down barriers to this critical form of health care and ensuring New York will always be a safe haven for women across the United States to exercise their right to choose.”

State Senator Luis Sepúlveda mentioned: “In an age where access to comprehensive healthcare is crucial, it’s imperative for New Yorkers to be well-informed and have options, especially when it comes to reproductive rights. Mayor Adams’ initiative to offer telehealth abortion care through NYC Health + Hospitals is not only a historic step in ensuring everyone has the right to make informed decisions about their health, but it also showcases the importance of a healthcare system that adapts to the needs of its people. Access to timely, safe, and confidential medical care is a fundamental right, and this initiative underscores our city’s commitment to protecting that right.”

State Senator Robert Jackson mentioned: “In the face of adversity, New York City once again leads the way, showing that innovation and compassion can bridge the gaps in reproductive healthcare. The Mayor and NYC Health + Hospitals have set a powerful precedent, affirming that when it comes to safeguarding reproductive rights, progress knows no bounds.”

State Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright mentioned: “We are pleased that Mayor Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals have secured telehealth access for New Yorkers seeking abortion care. Virtual ExpressCare will increase accessibility so patients can speak with licensed medical professionals on-demand and obtain medication upon approval. Together, we will ensure no one in New York faces barriers to reproductive health care.”

State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn mentioned: “Women’s rights are being stripped away across the country, with dangerous consequences, and we are continuing our commitment to fighting back as a welcoming sanctuary for all Americans. New York will always protect a woman’s right to choose and defend our healthcare rights. I applaud Mayor Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals for immensely expanding abortion access for New Yorkers and our entire nation through telehealth.”

State Assemblymember Harvey Epstein mentioned: “For many years New York has been a acknowledged chief on abortion entry and up to date assaults on reproductive justice in our nation won’t set us again. The historic launch of telehealth abortion entry by means of Virtual SpecificCare enshrines New York City as the primary metropolis authorities within the nation to broaden abortion entry by means of telehealth. This motion enhances my lately enacted invoice A1395C which expanded entry to reproductive healthcare for college kids on CUNY & SUNY campuses by requiring faculties to supply medicine abortion on campus or a referral to a close-by supplier, together with telehealth suppliers. New York will proceed to guard a girl’s proper to decide on regardless of constant makes an attempt on the federal stage to restrict bodily autonomy.

State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar mentioned: “Today, Mayor Eric Adams leads the nation by making New York City the first municipality in the country to expand access to abortion services through Virtual ExpressCare. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, women living in states that have banned abortion are three times more likely to die from pregnancy. Currently, minorities are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth related causes. But according to the CDC, 80% of these cases of maternal mortality can be prevented with just one or more reasonable changes. Mayor Adams is showing us how by expanding telehealth access for women’s health care and setting the standard for how a government should protect its people.”

State Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos mentioned: “I commend the Mayor for continuing to improve and protect access to healthcare services for all New Yorkers.”