In a celebratory press conference, New York Mayor Eric Adams—flanked by pro-choice government officials, medical professionals, and Planned Parenthood—announced the city’s plan to make abortion available through its telehealth service.

Adams is adamant about continuing to provide abortion access to all New Yorkers following last year’s Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.

“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,” he said. “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.”

Roland Warren, President and CEO of Care Net, said the city’s new program denies New Yorkers access to vital data and options.

“Women and men faced with pregnancy decisions deserve to have accurate information about all of their options presented to them. But New York City's fervent commitment to promoting abortion, as reflected in their boastful announcement about on-demand telehealth abortions becoming available in their city, means that countless women and men won't get the balanced information they need to make fully informed choices,” he said.

Since Roe was overturned in 2022, Mayor Adams has launched several pro-choice initiatives, including the Abortion Access Hub to confidentially refer callers to abortion care and no-cost medication abortion at sexual health clinics.

With the new telehealth program, women in New York City seeking abortions will be able to schedule a virtual appointment to speak with a state-licensed healthcare professional by video or phone, on-demand, for an assessment and counseling. “Clinically appropriate and prescribed” women who are up to 10 weeks into their pregnancy will be able to receive a medication abortion kit at their New York City address within a few days. NYC Health + Hospitals serves patients regardless of their ability to pay.

A recent article by Bridget Sielicki at LiveAction.org criticized the NYC program and warned about the dangers associated with this type of virtual consultation and with the abortion pill in general.

“One of the biggest dangers of telemedicine abortion distribution is that abortionists cannot verify that a woman actually is eligible. The abortion pill is currently approved for use through 10 weeks of pregnancy — but without an in-person examination, there is no way to verify gestational age,” Sielicki wrote. “Without the examination, the doctor also cannot determine if the woman has an extrauterine pregnancy or any other contraindications for the pill…”

At the press conference hosted by Mayor Adams, Wendy Stark, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, called the program “a historic win for abortion access in New York City.”

“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,” she said.

Meanwhile, Roland Warren lamented the city’s radical approach to crisis pregnancies. Care Net’s network of over 1,200 crisis pregnancy centers offer compassion, hope, and help to women and men facing pregnancy decisions and a wide array of free support services in cities and towns across the United States.

“It's clear that the abortion industry and pro-choice activists have had an enormous influence on which choices New Yorkers are exposed to, and sadly, the only choice appears to be abortion,” Roland Warren said.