About this episode
On this episode of The Voice, UUP president and host Fred Kowal discusses steps being taken to preserve and guarantee abortion rights in New York state just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court's June decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization . The court's 6-3 ruling nullified the landmark Roe v. Wade decision of 1973, which recognized abortion as a constitutional right. On the show, Kowal speaks with state Sen. Cordell Cleare and state Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, prime sponsors of the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Program. If approved, the bill would set aside $50 million to fund grants to help women access safe abortion services—including women traveling to New York from states where abortions are illegal. Cleare is also sponsoring a bill that would require SUNY to offer abortion services at all of its campuses. Kowal also speaks with Alissa Karl, UUP's statewide vice president for academics, and the liaison to UUP’s Women’s Rights and Concerns Committee.