Attorney General James Applauds Decision Protecting Health Insurance Coverage for Abortion Care

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after the New York Court of Appeals issued a decision in Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany v. Vullo, upholding New York’s law that requires insurers to include health insurance coverage for abortion care in their plans:

“Millions of New Yorkers rely on their employer-provided health insurance for essential medical care for themselves and their families, including reproductive care. Today’s decision affirming abortion coverage must be included in insurance plans as outlined in state law is a win for all New Yorkers and for our most basic right to make decisions about our own bodies. Abortion care is health care, and my office will always protect our state’s residents and ensure our laws are respected and upheld.”

New York’s employer health insurance law requires insurers who provide hospital, surgical, or medical coverage to provide coverage for medically necessary abortion services. Today’s court decision affirms the constitutionality of the law.

Attorney General James has been a national leader in defending access to reproductive care and protecting reproductive freedom in New York and nationwide. Earlier this month, Attorney General James sued an anti-abortion group and 11 crisis pregnancy centers for promoting unproven abortion reversal treatment. In April, Attorney General James led a coalition of attorneys general in urging Congress to expand access to reproductive health services and pass the Access to Family Building Act. In January, Attorney General James led a coalition of 24 attorneys general urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect access to mifepristone. In December 2022, Attorney General James secured a court order to stop militant anti-abortion group Red Rose Rescue from blocking access to abortion care in New York. 

This matter was handled by Assistant Solicitor General Laura Etlinger, Deputy Solicitor General Andrea Oser, and Solicitor General Barbara D. Underwood.