Dear Members of the University of Rochester Community,
On Friday the U.S. Supreme Court overruled its previous decisions in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey to rule that there is no longer a federal constitutional right to choose abortion. New York State enshrined in the law this right for its citizens in 1970, three years before the Roe decision in 1973. Governor Hochul has reaffirmed her commitment to the state law.
The issue of abortion rights has long been divisive, and response to last week’s decision will be no different. Whatever your position, we hope that differences will be expressed with respect and viewed as an opportunity for dialogue. The evaluation and discussions about this ruling are only beginning.
It is important that we state that the University of Rochester Medical Center is committed to supporting New York State’s laws while providing all of its patients with high quality, compassionate care. From the vantage point of patient safety, UR Medicine supports access to safe pregnancy termination, which is essential to reproductive health, and we will continue to provide all types of reproductive care. As we work through the implications of the Court’s decision, we are all committed to the health and well-being of our University community and the communities we serve.
Sarah C. Mangelsdorf
President and G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University President
Mark B. Taubman
CEO, University of Rochester Medical Center and Dean, School of Medicine and Dentistry