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Q&A
Concerns about Planned Parenthood leaving Manhattan and impact on reproductive health care
2:02:18
ยท
89 sec
Council Member Gale A. Brewer expresses concern about Planned Parenthood leaving Manhattan and inquires about its potential impact on reproductive health care access. Commissioner Morse responds with information on the city's efforts to ensure continued access to reproductive health services.
- Planned Parenthood is closing its Manhattan location but will maintain presence in other boroughs
- DOHMH operates an abortion access hub, a phone line providing information nationwide
- The hub has received over 8,000 calls and chats, with about 1,000 from out of state
- DOHMH also offers abortion services at their sexual health clinics, with approximately a two-week wait time
- The department is committed to working with partners to ensure New Yorkers have access to reproductive health care
Gale A. Brewer
2:02:18
Okay.
2:02:19
Planned Parenthood is leaving Manhattan.
2:02:21
It's irritating me quite a bit.
2:02:22
Will that have any impact or is this not your, expertise to have to deal with?
2:02:28
I do find they're gonna be in other boroughs, but, you know, I find it upsetting that they're leaving Manhattan.
2:02:33
Does that have anything to do with my concern or your concern that people get good health care?
Michelle Morse
2:02:39
This is 100% a priority for us in the New York City Health Department and for the whole entire city.
2:02:46
We do operate an abortion access hub, which is a phone line that anyone in the whole country can call actually to get information
Gale A. Brewer
2:02:54
I'm aware.
Michelle Morse
2:02:54
About access.
2:02:55
Since it started, we've had over 8,000 calls and chats.
2:03:01
Number, about a thousand of those calls are from people from out of state.
2:03:05
So we still are touching and engaging New Yorkers the most.
2:03:09
We are always concerned about any changes in capacity for reproductive health care.
2:03:14
But our commitment is to continue to work with all the partners who are providing that care to make sure that New Yorkers have access to the care.
Gale A. Brewer
2:03:20
So you're not concerned that this closure of Bleecker Street will impact the care?
Michelle Morse
2:03:25
We are happy to follow-up with you with any more specifics about any concerns we have capacity.
2:03:31
But currently we also offer abortion services at our sexual health clinics in the New York City Health Department.
2:03:38
And the last I heard is about a two week wait, which is still pretty timely.
2:03:44
But we'd be happy to follow-up with you with more information.
Gale A. Brewer
2:03:47
Okay.