March is women’s history month, and In Focus is focusing on women’s health. Overall physical health, reproductive health, and financial health — starting with a look at legislation here in New York that aims to help women get the information and services they need to live a long, fruitful life. Assemblymember Amy Paulin represents New York's 88th Assembly District, but the legislation she has advocated for aims to help women all across the state, through all stages of life. 

Reproductive health is an area Paulin has focused heavily on. She says women must be able to decide to conceive a child when they are ready. That’s why birth control is important; it lets women take control of their reproductive health. Paulin has sponsored a bill that would give more women more direct access to contraceptives, by authorizing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense birth control. Nearly 20 states have enacted similar policies and she’s looking for New York to be the next. 

Of course, reproductive issues don’t end there. Paulin is also focusing on the issues that arise when a woman does decide to have a baby, like how that baby is delivered. New York state has a very high rate of C-sections. And while these procedures can be medically necessary, they carry a lot of risks for both the baby and the mother, including both immediate and long-term issues. Paulin says a bill she sponsored would make sure expecting mothers are fully educated on C-sections by requiring doctors to provide comprehensive information on the procedure to women who may have one, including information on the risks they carry. 

The assemblymember is also focusing on an area of health that becomes more important as a woman gets older — breast cancer screenings. The typical procedure is for women to start getting mammograms in their early forties. But mammograms aren’t effective in diagnosing breast cancer in all women, especially those with particularly dense breast tissue. For these women, a breast ultrasound may be the best method to check for any abnormalities. But that’s not something that all insurances cover, which is why Paulin is sponsoring a bill that would make sure these preventative screenings don't come at a cost.

You can watch the full interview with Assemblymember Amy Paulin on our website or the Spectrum News App. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting Upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney—every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.