The Statue of Liberty and the skyline of Manhattan in New York, Sept. 11, 2021.
Photo:
BJOERN KILS/REUTERS
Like millions of Americans, I am shocked and angered by the leaked Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade. This was my mother’s fight, it was my fight, and it’s my daughter’s fight. Now, sadly, my newborn granddaughter appears to have inherited it.
From Seneca Falls to Stonewall, New York has always led the nation in the battle for human rights, with suffrage three years before the 19th Amendment, marriage equality four years before it was recognized by the court, and legalized abortion three years before Roe.
As New York’s first female governor, I won’t let us go backward. My team and I are working to ensure access to quality, affordable healthcare—including abortion services. We mandated that health-insurance plans cover abortion services without cost-sharing, ensured providers can offer abortion telehealth services without barriers, and convened an Abortion Access Working Group to meet regularly with patients, providers, and advocates.
In the face of this assault on abortion access, we are playing offense, too. On Tuesday, we announced that we are providing $35 million in urgently needed funding to abortion providers to expand capacity and improve security of their patients and staff. I’m proud of this nation-leading response—we’re the first large state in the country to launch a fund like this.
That puts us in sharp contrast to states like Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas that are working to enact outright bans on abortion. We need everyone who supports reproductive rights to push back against those efforts, and the cause needs allies in the private sector. Some companies located in states that limit access are offering transportation for employees to get an abortion out of state.
But there’s a better way for those CEOs to protect their employees’ essential rights. Don’t keep your operations in a state imposing these barbaric restrictions. Move to New York.
The Empire State not only offers the most talented workforce, a legacy of cutting-edge innovation, major infrastructure investments, and a top-tier business climate—we also offer an ironclad guarantee to defend and uphold equal rights for all.
Under my watch, we will always offer safe harbor to those seeking access to abortion and ensure equal protection of all of our people—of every sexual orientation and gender identity. If you’re a company considering relocation here, I assure you that you will never have to distance yourself from our policies via press release or pay for your employees to leave the state for medical care.
Employees want to work for companies that respect their rights. Consumers are also watching these decisions. The best way for companies to send the message that they value the health and well-being of their workers is to operate in a state that does as well.
My message to CEOs who want to stand up and be counted in support of equal rights for all is simple: Join the other companies already flourishing here, and come to New York.
The Statue of Liberty has long stood in our harbor, welcoming immigrants and refugees alike. Corporations in search of a land that cherishes and protects the rights of their employees will be welcomed with open arms as well.
Ms. Hochul, a Democrat, is governor of New York.
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