U.S. Rep. Grace Meng sat down with United States Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra for a community conversation with abortion providers at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens in Jamaica on Friday, March 10. The discussion between the secretary and those present was held on the first National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day since the United States Supreme Court controversially overturned the 1973 decision in Roe V. Wade, which provided women with the right to an abortion.
This annual observance is held to recognize the work of abortion providers across the country, including doctors, nurses and other personnel. Many of these providers face harassment and threats of violence, yet still work tirelessly to ensure access to safe and legal abortion care.
“I thank Secretary Becerra for coming to our borough to highlight National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day and underscoring how vital reproductive freedom is in Queens and throughout our nation,” Meng said. “Abortion providers and our city and state government partners are on the front lines working nonstop to ensure that safe and quality abortion care is accessible to New Yorkers. As a champion of reproductive rights, I will continue doing all I can to make sure that women have the right to make their own choices for their health. With abortion rights under attack in our country, especially since the overturning of Roe V. Wade, it is more important than ever to keep up this fight.”
In addition to Meng and Becerra, those also present to take part in the discussion included abortion providers and leaders from the New York City and New York state health departments, as well as reproductive rights advocates from Queens and across New York City. Local abortion providers present at the event shared their stories and experiences providing reproductive health services in New York City.
“At HHS, we are staunchly committed to protecting and expanding access to reproductive health care, including abortion care,” Secretary Becerra said. “We’ll never stop fighting so long as these rights and freedoms are under assault.”
The roots for National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day date back to the March 10, 1993, murder of Dr. David Gunn, an abortion provider in Florida. Killed by a white supremacist, anti-abortion extremist, this was the country’s first known instance of the murder of an abortion provider for carrying out abortions. Since being established in 1996, National Abortion Appreciation Day is held every Mar. 10 to show appreciation to the doctors, nurses and others who serve as abortion care providers.
“NYC Health + Hospitals is committed to ensuring access to safe, legal and affordable abortion care at all of its 11 hospitals by removing barriers and raising public awareness about women’s rights and the options available for those seeking abortions,” NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz, MD, said. “On Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, I want to recognize all of our staff who provide the highest quality care to our patients who need it.”
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the United States. It serves over 1 million New Yorkers annually. It has a robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers while also anchoring care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency and MetroPlusHealth plan. All of this is supported by 11 essential hospitals. Regardless of an individual’s immigration status or ability to pay, the health system will treat them.
