Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health (WMCHealth) Network, has been awarded a $1.35 million grant from the New York State Abortion Training and Support Program (NYSAAP). A total of $24 million in NYSAAP grants were announced on June 24 for women’s health care providers throughout the state. The grants were awarded to 49 health care providers.
The grant of $1.35 million to WMC marks the third grant from the state program that the Medical Center has received. In 2022, WMC received $400,000 and in 2024 the grant was for $600,000. WMC said that the new funding will help with investment in medical equipment and staff support at its Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
“Governor Hochul and the New York State Department of Health have taken decisive action to provide the resources health care providers need to maintain and expand the critical abortion services fundamental to comprehensive patient care,” said David Lubarsky, president and CEO of the WMCHealth Network. “While in too many instances reproductive health services, including abortion care, are being slashed across the country, this grant provides critical financial support to ensure that we can continue to support women across the region, ensuring we are leading with empathy and that our dedicated team of professionals have the resources needed to care for our patients.”
Hochul announced the new NYSAAP grants on the third anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling, which ended the constitutional right to an abortion in the U.S.
“With the stroke of a pen the court ended a fundamental human right and endangered the lives of millions of women,” Hochul said. “Abortion is health care and I will always fight to protect reproductive rights for all New Yorkers and anyone receiving health care in New York. As we face anti-choice extremists in leadership who aim to roll back these hard fought for rights, we will always fight to ensure access to reproductive care is protected here in New York and ensure that this state remains a safe harbor for those in need of abortion care.”
In New York state, abortions are legal up to and including 24 weeks of pregnancy. After 24 weeks, individuals can still get an abortion in certrain circumstances including a threat to the life of the woman.
Sean S. Tedjarati, director of the WMCHealth Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said, “Patient-centered care is central to our mission, and this funding will continue to uplift the compassionate and expert fellowship trained and sub-specialty board certified Complex Family Planning providers on our team, who remain endlessly committed to making sure that every woman feels comfortable accessing these services.”
WMCHealth previously received a $750,000 grant secured by New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and with the support of New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the members of the New York State Legislature and Gov. Hochul, to help establish the Center for Women’s Health Equity to address the social, economic, cultural, and racial determinants of health that can result in increased maternal morbidity and mortality among women across the Hudson Valley.
