New York Governor Kathy Hochul has allocated $1 million in public funds to provide healthcare for sex workers for two years.
The money will be given to two organizations, Callen-Lorde and EHS Inc./Evergreen Health, to support primary and sexual healthcare, as well as dental care, for potential prostitutes.
“The Health Department remains committed to providing affirming, compassionate support and quality services to all residents without stigma and discrimination. Access to comprehensive sexual health services improves the quality of life for everyone.” Department of Health spokesperson said.
“Individuals participating in this program often experience discrimination, violence, and threats to their emotional well-being. They are more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, yet lack access to quality routine screening,” the spokesperson added.
The State Department of Health approved the funding, granting each organization $250,000 annually for two years.
This initiative aims to offer essential healthcare services to sex workers in New York City and Western New York.
One of the organizations benefiting from this funding, Callen-Lorde, is well-known for its work in LGBTQ+ healthcare.
On its website, the organization openly supports the decriminalization of prostitution.
They firmly advocate for the complete decriminalization of sex work to protect and respect the human rights of all sex workers.
This new funding initiative has sparked discussions about sex work and healthcare rights.
Some argue that providing healthcare to sex workers is a positive step towards addressing their needs and ensuring their well-being. At the same time, others are concerned about using public funds for this purpose and the broader implications of decriminalizing prostitution.
“The Democrats in New York are pushing everything that is antithetical to the norms of society.” State Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo said.
“What are they going to have, a prostitution card? This is a 100 percent step in the direction to decriminalize prostitution.” Pirozzolo added.
“The goal should be to discourage, not encourage, prostitution.” he continued.
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights also slammed Hochul.
“Now she wants the taxpayers to fund health care for street prostitutes, the likely outcome of which will be to destroy the quality of life for New Yorkers.” Donohue said.
“This policy will act like a magnet for more prostitutes, and will undoubtedly attract a host of new deviants to work with them. And no one in his right mind believes this will be a ‘pilot program’ — this is just the beginning. It doesn’t get more irresponsible than this.” he lamented.
What are your thoughts on this program to provide healthcare to sex workers? Let us know in the comments.