ACOG District II Weighs in on Prop I
began this past Saturday, October 26th. Over 700,000 New Yorkers cast their ballots over the weekend, marking an increase from the 2020 presidential election.
While national attention is on the candidates featured on the front of the ballot, New Yorkers are flipping to the 鈥淏 side鈥� to vote on Proposition 1, a proposed amendment to the New York State Constitution.
The official abstract for Proposition 1 reads:
This proposal amends Article 1, Section 11 of the New York Constitution. Section 11 now protects against unequal treatment based on race, color, creed, and religion. The proposal will amend the act to also protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, as well as reproductive healthcare and autonomy. The amendment allows laws to prevent or undo past discrimination.
ACOG Takes a Position
Constituent groups are out with advertisements and lawn signs making their case for or against the proposed change.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) District II, representing New York State and Bermuda, has joined the conversation, coming out in favor of the amendment:
"All New Yorkers deserve the freedom to control their own lives, futures and health care decisions, including abortion. Prop 1 makes sure that our reproductive rights, including abortion are permanently protected in the New York Constitution ... ACOG has endorsed Prop 1 and encourages its members to vote YES this election day"
Ob/Gyns as Advocates
Dr. Natalie Whaley, an associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, has served on the ACOG District II Legislative Committee since 2015.
She believes strongly in the role Ob/Gyns can play in patient advocacy, both individually and collectively through ACOG:
"It鈥檚 our duty to be there; we鈥檙e the experts in this field. It鈥檚 important that we lift up the patient experience because the people seeking our services aren鈥檛 always able to speak up themselves. We are also advocating for ourselves and the things that impact our ability to sustain a career in OBGYN.鈥�
We as a field need to be at the table when legislators are making decisions about the care we provide to our patients.
"Our Fights are Different"
The debate surrounding Proposition 1 reflects broader conflicts occurring in many states across the country. , 530 bills were introduced in the 2024 legislative session aimed at revoking protections for individuals based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Similarly, New York is one of ten states with abortion-related measures on the ballot next Tuesday.
That鈥檚 not typical for New York. An established democratic stronghold, New York has a reputation for progressivism and is not usually in the conversation when abortion rights are on the ballot.
Dr. Whaley recognizes that perception: 鈥淪ometimes people think that New York isn鈥檛 that big of a deal, legislatively speaking, because reproductive choice is a priority and has been protected. But there is still the risk of legislative interference with other aspects of women鈥檚 health. By being part of the legislative committee, I get to lend my voice to let lawmakers know the unintended impacts of legislation on patient care.鈥�
Dr. Mary Wilsch, the current Chair of Ob/Gyn at Highland Hospital and former member of the Legislative Committee, echoes Dr. Whaley鈥檚 sentiment. She says that the Legislative Committee has had a significant impact on a wide range of issues relevant to obstetric and gynecologic practice:
鈥淸The] Committee works tirelessly advocating for physicians and patients. The Committee lobbies against wrongful death legislation, consent legislation, and scope of practice legislation while providing input on the crafting of pro-reproductive health legislation鈥�.
As is often the case with advocacy work, much of their effort goes unnoticed. Reflecting on her recently concluded term, Dr. Wilsch says, 鈥淚 was amazed how many bills that would have had negative impacts on our practice were derailed quietly in the background鈥�.
ACOG District II Takes Advocacy Seriously
ACOG District II approaches advocacy differently than other ACOG organizations across the country. Instead of having staff based in Washington, D.C., District II has a large advocacy group located in Albany. This proximity allows them to partner closely with lawmakers and actively participate in discussions about legislation related to women鈥檚 and reproductive health.
The opportunity for state-level advocacy is also extended to medical trainees through the (RAP). This program centers around the District II Lobby Day, an annual event where ACOG members meet with lawmakers in Albany on Ob/Gyn-related issues. RAP provides a day of preparation and education for residents before Lobby Day, which will take place this coming year on Tuesday, May 6th, 2025.
A Legacy of Leadership in Advocacy
The University of Rochester also has ties to national advocacy efforts. The Gandell Young Physician Advocacy Scholarship supports one awardee's travel and attendance at the annual Congressional Leadership Conference (CLC), hosted by ACOG in Washington, D.C.
The CLC provides participants the opportunity to engage with ACOG's policy priorities and build relationship through effective lobbying.
The award is named in honor of the late Dr. David Gandell, a beloved Ob/Gyn who practiced in Rochester and attended the CLC yearly.
Dr. Eva K. Pressman, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, remembers Dr. Gandell, saying: 鈥淒r. Gandell was a valuable member of our department for over 30 years and a leader in reproductive health and advocacy.鈥�