Gov. Hochul Signs Shield Law, Vetoes Integral Hospital Transparency and Health Data Privacy Bills

ALBANY, NY – Last night, Governor Hochul signed Shield Law 2.0, legislation that strengthens legal protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care. However, she also vetoed the New York Health Information Privacy Act (NYHIPA) and Hospital Transparency. These two bills, respectively, would have protected New Yorkers’ intimate electronic health data from exploitation, and given patients the ability to find out whether the hospital in their area provides the care they need before they are admitted.

The following quotes are attributable to Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union:

On signing Shield Law 2.0:

“By signing this critical bill into law, Governor Hochul has taken a critical step to reaffirm that New York is a champion of abortion access and gender affirming care. In the face of nationwide attacks on reproductive and gender-affirming health care, this legislation will protect providers who continue to offer care despite the threats, as well as their patients, those seeking care, and those supporting them. Access to health care is an essential human right. We will keep fighting to ensure that every New Yorker can get the care they need.”

On vetoing the New York Health Information Privacy Act:

“Despite promising to keep New York a beacon of access for those seeking reproductive or gender affirming care, Governor Hochul has denied New Yorkers privacy over their personal health data. In our modern world, no one can seek abortion or gender affirming care without leaving a digital trail. With this ill-advised, disappointing veto, Governor Hochul prioritized the interests of big tech companies, bad actors, and hostile government entities over everyday New Yorkers. As an anti-abortion, anti-trans extremist wreaks havoc in the White House, New Yorkers desperately need privacy protections to control their online health data without fear of exploitation or abuse.”

On vetoing the Hospital Transparency Act:

“Our health care system is already failing too many people. Yet, the Governor has once again prioritized corporate hospital systems’ interests over everyday New Yorkers by vetoing a commonsense bill that would have strengthened New Yorkers’ access to the care they deserve, including abortion care.

“By rejecting this measure, the Governor leaves New Yorkers in the dark about where they can safely obtain the care they need. This veto undermines the Governor’s pledge to make New York a true abortion access state, at a time when federal attacks on our health care and reproductive rights are escalating.

“Despite this setback, we will keep fighting to make sure that no one is turned away from a hospital when they need care. New Yorkers deserve nothing less.”

The New York Civil Liberties Union heavily advocated for the passage of these bills. The organization:

• Published memos of support (here and here)
• Led two letters signed by more than 110 organizations and 200 providers, respectively, to Governor Hochul urging her to sign both bills
• Educated New Yorkers on the need for robust protections over abortion and gender affirming health care (Read: New York must strengthen shield laws to defend abortion and trans care and Hochul must sign bills that protect access to reproductive care)
• Mobilized New Yorkers through phone banking and co-anchoring lobby days with coalition partners
• Drove thousands of supporters to take action through digital organizing, our social media platforms, and sending Gov. Hochul more than 2500 postcards urging the immediate passage of these bills