NY Governor Unveils Plan To Subsidize Healthcare For Prostitutes
After years of implementing widespread lockdowns, advocating for experimental surgeries on children, and embracing obesity as a healthy lifestyle, leftist politicians and activists have established a track record of questionable medical advice.
The latest example comes from Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who recently shared her plan to reward prostitutes in her state with taxpayer-subsidized healthcare.
According to the New York State Department of Health, $1 million in grants over a two-year period have been allocated to contractors tasked with providing services, including dental care, to individuals euphemistically described by the program as “sex workers.”
Beyond the controversial nature of such a plan, which critics say comes close to decriminalizing prostitution altogether, Hochul implemented the pilot program without the approval of state lawmakers.
GOP Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo was among those in the New York legislature who questioned the basic argument made by the governor and those in favor of this initiative.
“The Democrats in New York are pushing everything that is antithetical to the norms of society,” he said. “What are they going to have, a prostitution card? This is a 100% step in the direction to decriminalize prostitution.”
Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights President Bill Donohue weighed in on the debate by first accusing Hochul for botching the state’s response to issues from crime to homelessness.
“Now she wants the taxpayers to fund healthcare for street prostitutes, the likely outcome of which will be to destroy the quality of life for New Yorkers,” he said. “This policy will act like a magnet for more prostitutes, and will undoubtedly attract a host of new deviants to work with them.”
Unsurprisingly, the state health department has a different interpretation of the so-called “pilot program.”
A spokesperson for the agency responded to criticism by asserting: “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.”
The statement went on to claim that those “participating in this program often experience discrimination, violence, and threats to their emotional well-being,” and their illegal occupation means that they “are more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, yet lack access to quality routine screening.”
