Empire State Today

Governor Kathy Hochul appeared on MSNBC's Morning Joe to discuss women's reproductive health rights. During the show, she touched on various important topics and issues surrounding the current state of women's healthcare in the United States.

Regarding the recent bridge collapse in Baltimore, Governor Hochul expressed her concern and offered assistance to Governor Wes Moore of Maryland. She stated, "We're sending our prayers to everyone involved. And you think about the vulnerability of construction workers, we do everything we can in our states to protect these workers, but an incident like this puts them in such harm's way." Governor Hochul also emphasized the importance of ensuring the flow of commerce is not disrupted in such situations.

Moving on to the topic of the Supreme Court oral arguments on abortion medication, Governor Hochul highlighted the actions taken by New York to stockpile medication abortion doses to protect women's access to reproductive freedom. She expressed her concerns about the potential impact of restricting access to such medications, stating, "But if they outlaw the most commonly used form of this prescription...then I can't offer this in our state."

Symone Sanders-Townsend, co-host of MSNBC's The Weekend, also joined the conversation, emphasizing the importance of sharing personal stories to educate others about the necessity of abortion services. She mentioned State Senator Burch's story in Arizona as an example of how personal narratives can help raise awareness and understanding.

Governor Hochul reiterated New York's commitment to being a safe harbor for women seeking reproductive healthcare services, particularly in light of potential restrictions imposed by other states. She emphasized the need to support women's freedoms and rights over their own bodies, stating, "But if this Supreme Court listens to this judge in Amarillo, Texas...our freedoms that we fought for decades and decades are gone."

In conclusion, Governor Hochul's appearance on Morning Joe shed light on the ongoing challenges and battles for women's reproductive rights in the United States. The discussions underscored the importance of protecting access to essential healthcare services and the potential consequences of restrictive measures.