New York Midwives (NYM) joined 16 other reproductive rights, health, and justice organizations in signing an NYC Reproductive Freedom Transition Memo to Mayor-Elect Mamdani, urging the incoming administration to advance a Reproductive Justice agenda built on universal childcare, expanded health care funding, and support for domestic and care labor. The memo calls on the City to prepare for federal threats — including cuts to the Essential Plan that could strip coverage from 1.5 million New Yorkers — by backfilling funding for safety-net providers and abortion funds like NYAAF as more residents face out-of-pocket costs for reproductive care. As midwives who provide pregnancy, childbirth, and reproductive health care directly to NYC communities, NYM underscored how costs like $20,000+ for pregnancy and childbirth, paired with nearly 45% of New Yorkers unable to cover a $400 emergency, put timely abortion and prenatal care out of reach for working-class families. The coalition pointed to the 78% of NYC voters who backed the 2024 Equal Rights Amendment as evidence of a clear public mandate for bolder City action. NYM’s involvement reflects its broader commitment to protecting the health and welfare of women, birthing people, and families across New York State.
