CHOICES Women's Medical Center is a progressive and comprehensive healthcare facility. Our healthcare team assures that every patient receives the highest quality medical treatment in a positive, supportive and educational environment. CHOICES is committed to the concept of knowledgeable choice, and offers complete patient-centered medical care for any of your healthcare needs.
News
February 2012: New Choices Facility Opening in Jamaica!
February 23, 2012
February 22, 2012 – In just two weeks, Choices Women’s Medical Center will open its beautiful new state-of-the-art facility in Jamaica, Queens. We are very pleased to bring the most advanced medical services for all women’s reproductive health needs to the Jamaica community where many of our current clients live and where many more will be able to reach us easily.
Our new location will be readily accessible from all parts of New York City by subway, bus or train and is just a quick trip on public transportation from both LaGuardia and JFK Airports for our clients from other cities and states. We are proud we will be able to enhance the lives of Jamaica residents as part of the “new” Jamaica that is becoming a transportation and business hub. For full transportation information, watch our website.
Reception area at our new Jamaica facility.
“Abortionomics” – When “Choice” Becomes a Necessity
An important new study commissioned by Merle Hoffman, Founder/President of Choices, analyzes the impact of the economic downtown on family planning choices. The reality that women and families on a limited – or decreasing – income, must often turn to abortion in tough financial times when faced with an unplanned pregnancy, has been largely missing from debates by policy makers and politicians over health insurance and abortion availability. Now we have the data to back up the lived reality.
Hoffman presented this data at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. in January. The three key findings are:
As the economic downturn continues, birth rates fell, and the demand for contraceptive services, including vasectomies, increased.
As economic factors forced cutbacks in social services, low-income women faced greater difficulties in getting safe and affordable birth control.
Faced with these difficulties, more low-income women were choosing abortion.
Read the entire report here.
Choices Serves Women of All income Levels and Ages
Choices remains committed to assisting women make the reproductive choices that are best for them, with the greatest compassion and complete confidentiality. We accept most insurances and help low-income women apply for Emergency Medicaid assistance on-the-spot for same-day abortion procedures. The Family Planning Benefit Program will cover visits relating to birth control. Check our website and call our office to see if you quality.
Vast Majority of Women of All Religions Have Used Birth Control
The recent controversy about requiring health insurance plans to cover birth control largely overlooked one important fact: Women of ALL religious beliefs will benefit because overwhelmingly women of ALL religious beliefs have used birth control. The well-respected Guttmacher Institute reported recently that the vast majority of women of reproductive age (15-44) have used a contraceptive method other than natural family planning (the “rhythm method”) at some point. This includes 99% of all sexually experienced women and 98% of those identifying themselves as Catholic. The Catholic Bishops may protest, but Catholic women will benefit just like women of all other religious affiliations. 
If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out the latest edition of On The Issues Magazine on ABORTION.
Let us know what you think.
Best wishes – and we’ll see you in Jamaica!
Merle Hoffman
February 2012: New Choices Facility Opening in Jamaica!
February 22, 2012
February 22, 2012 – In just two weeks, Choices Women’s Medical Center will open its beautiful new state-of-the-art facility in Jamaica, Queens. We are very pleased to bring the most advanced medical services for all women’s reproductive health needs to the Jamaica community where many of our current clients live and where many more will be able to reach us easily.
Our new location will be readily accessible from all parts of New York City by subway, bus or train and is just a quick trip on public transportation from both LaGuardia and JFK Airports for our clients from other cities and states. We are proud we will be able to enhance the lives of Jamaica residents as part of the “new” Jamaica that is becoming a transportation and business hub. For full transportation information, watch our website.
Reception area at our new Jamaica facility.
“Abortionomics” – When “Choice” Becomes a Necessity
An important new study commissioned by Merle Hoffman, Founder/President of Choices, analyzes the impact of the economic downtown on family planning choices. The reality that women and families on a limited – or decreasing – income, must often turn to abortion in tough financial times when faced with an unplanned pregnancy, has been largely missing from debates by policy makers and politicians over health insurance and abortion availability. Now we have the data to back up the lived reality.
Hoffman presented this data at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. in January. The three key findings are:
As the economic downturn continues, birth rates fell, and the demand for contraceptive services, including vasectomies, increased.
As economic factors forced cutbacks in social services, low-income women faced greater difficulties in getting safe and affordable birth control.
Faced with these difficulties, more low-income women were choosing abortion.
Read the entire report here.
Choices Serves Women of All income Levels and Ages
Choices remains committed to assisting women make the reproductive choices that are best for them, with the greatest compassion and complete confidentiality. We accept most insurances and help low-income women apply for Emergency Medicaid assistance on-the-spot for same-day abortion procedures. The Family Planning Benefit Program will cover visits relating to birth control. Check our website and call our office to see if you quality.
Vast Majority of Women of All Religions Have Used Birth Control
The recent controversy about requiring health insurance plans to cover birth control largely overlooked one important fact: Women of ALL religious beliefs will benefit because overwhelmingly women of ALL religious beliefs have used birth control. The well-respected Guttmacher Institute reported recently that the vast majority of women of reproductive age (15-44) have used a contraceptive method other than natural family planning (the “rhythm method”) at some point. This includes 99% of all sexually experienced women and 98% of those identifying themselves as Catholic. The Catholic Bishops may protest, but Catholic women will benefit just like women of all other religious affiliations.
If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out the latest edition of On The Issues Magazine on ABORTION.
Let us know what you think.
Best wishes – and we’ll see you in Jamaica!
Merle Hoffman
What’s New at Choices Women’s Medical Center January 2012
January 18, 2012
Before there was Roe, there was Choices!
Celebrate Roe – Celebrate Choices!
Thirty-nine years ago on January 20, 1973, the Supreme Court made abortion legal throughout the United States in its Roe V. Wade Decision. This meant that women could end unwanted pregnancies safely and without fear in every state.
Three years earlier, New York State had legalized abortion, and in 1971 Merle Hoffman founded Choices. It was one of the first abortion clinics in the country. For over 40 years Choices has served women with the highest quality care, compassion and confidentiality. Today, Choices provides a full range of gynecological services – including gyn exams, birth control, abortion and prenatal care – for women of all ages who come to us from all over New York and many other states.
Choices is Dedicated to Meeting Women's Needs
Despite continuing assault by anti-abortion forces to restrict women’s ability to access abortion services – 92 new state regulations (parental notification, mandatory waiting periods, limits on insurance coverage, etc.) were enacted just this past year – New York State remains one of the few states with almost no restrictions, and Choices remains committed to making sure no woman is prevented from making the choice that's right for her.
Same Day Appointments and Financial Assistance
Why do so many women come here? First, because they have heard from friends or family that Choices provides the best medical care possible. And not only that.
- When a woman calls Choices, she can get an appointment for that same day. (Minors never need parental consent.)
- When low-income women come to Choices, they can apply for Emergency Medicaid for same day abortions. For birth-control-related visits, they can apply for the Family Planning Benefit Program and can see a medical professional that same day.
See our newly-designed website for all our services.
Our Upcoming Expansion to Jamaica, Queens
In late February, we will expand our services to Jamaica, Queens. Jamaica was recently highlighted in a major article in the New York Times as being “reborn” as a transportation hub and a revived business and shopping area. Our new location will be easily accessible from all parts of New York City by public transportation and an easy train or bus ride from both LaGuardia and JFK Airports. We are proud we will be part of the “new” Jamaica and are eager to bring enhanced health care to Jamaica residents. Watch our website for more information soon.
New Edition of On The Issues Magazine on ABORTION
This new issue should be of special interest to all of Choices’ clients and friends. See especially the excerpt from Merle Hoffman’s just-published Memoir, Intimate Wars, where she recounts holding the hands of abortion patients as the director of a women's clinic and hearing their whispered concerns. The book is available in bookstores now.
With best wishes for a wonderful 2012!
Merle Hoffman
Founder/President
Choices Women’s Medical Center
Choices Women's Medical Center 29-28 41st Avenue | Long Island City, NY 11101 (718) 391-0023 | www.ChoicesMedical.com
CHOICES Announces Expansion to Jamaica, Queens in Early 2012
November 1, 2011
We are very happy to share with you this exciting news.
Choices Women's Medical Center will bring its top-rated services and highest-quality care to Jamaica, Queens in early 2012! This represents our commitment to meet the needs of a presently under-served population by bringing comprehensive reproductive healthcare services to Jamaica, including family planning, abortion, prenatal care, GYN exams and community education.
The announcement was made at a luncheon Oct. 26 in Jamaica which also celebrated hoices' 40th anniversary. The event featured remarks from community leaders, other health care providers, and the Speaker of the New York City Council Christine Quinn, along with Merle Hoffman, Founder/President of Choices Women's Medical Center.
All New Yorkers deserve access to quality, affordable health care," said New York City Council Speaker Quinn. “Choices Women's Medical Center’s expansion to Jamaica will bring vital reproductive health care services to one of the city's most underserved populations. Today is a great day for this community, and I congratulate Choices Medical and its partners for their efforts towards closing the 'health-gap' that affects so many New Yorkers.”
According to the 2006 New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Profile, “ Take Care Jamaica,” Jamaica ranks below average (in the bottom 10 of 41 NYC neighborhoods surveyed) for the indicator “Having a Healthy Baby” because of two critical factors:
The greater likelihood that mothers in Jamaica are more likely to receive late or no prenatal care which brings added risks to both mothers and their infants; and
The high birthrate to teens (15-19 years old) in Jamaica, 35 percent higher than Queens overall.
As a long-time leader in state-of-the-art women's health care, Choices is well-positioned and qualified to address these important health issues.
Catherine Abate, CEO of Community Healthcare Network, commented, "In light of our organization’s roots in women’s health and our strong history of collaboration with Choices Women’s Medical Center, we are delighted to learn of their impending expansion to Jamaica, Queens, an area where we are also growing our presence. I hope that in the future we are able to further strengthen our partnership to achieve our shared mission of improving women’s health and access to family planning."
Yvonne Reddick, District Manager, Community Board 12, also spoke and added words of welcome, as did Mitchell Cornet, Administrator, Jamaica Hospital; and Peter Kulka, KJL Realty Company based in Jamaica.
In her remarks, Merle Hoffman thanked the other speakers and everyone in attendance for their support and emphasized that "an abiding core of Choices' mission is a commitment to serving the needs of the under-insured, under-served and disenfranchised. As the attacks on women's health and lives escalate, it has become more critical for providers to step up and meet the ever growing needs of this population."
Choices' Support Partner, Haven, Featured in On The Issues Magazine
Choices Women's Medical Center does all it can to assist women coming from other cities and states for our abortion services, including providing overnight accommodations through the Haven network of volunteer hosts. This unique support network is profiled in an article, Haven Volunteers: An Immediate Impact on Abortion Care, in the fall issue of On The Issues Magazine which focuses on Activism.
Pre-Order Intimate Wars now
Merle Hoffman's memoir, Intimate Wars: The Life and Times of the Woman Who Brought Abortion from the Back Alley to the Boardroom, will be available in stores January 2012 and can be pre-ordered now at Amazon.com.
Best wishes to all Choices' friends, old and new.
Merle Hoffman
Founder/President
Luncheon Announcement for move to Jamaica, NY
October 20, 2011
For More Information and to Attend Luncheon Contact:
Lorna Aguilos
Director of Marketing/Outreach
718-349-9100
lorna@choicesmedical.com
Choices Women’s Medical Center Announces Expansion To Jamaica, Queens
On Wednesday, October 26, 2011, Choices Women’s Medical Center will announce its upcoming expansion to Jamaica, Queens and celebrate its 40th Anniversary at a luncheon at O Lavrador Restaurant in Jamaica. The luncheon will feature remarks from New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn; Community Healthcare Network CEO Catherine Abate; Mitchell Cornett, Jamaica Hospital Administrator; Yvonne Reddick, District Manager CB 12; and Peter Kulka, KJL Realty Company Vice President.
Founded in 1971 by Merle Hoffman, Choices is a New York State licensed outpatient medical facility, recently awarded the highest accreditation by the American Association of Ambulatory Health Care. For over 40 years Choices has provided comprehensive reproductive health care, including family planning, abortion and prenatal services to women and girls of all ages, ethnicities and sexual orientations.
“An abiding core of Choices' mission is a commitment to serving the needs of the under-insured, under-served and disenfranchised. As the attacks on women’s health and lives escalate it, is has become more critical for providers to step up and meet the ever growing needs of this population,” Hoffman stated.
“All New Yorkers deserve access to quality, affordable health care," said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “Choices Women's Medical Center’s expansion to Jamaica will bring vital reproductive health care services to one of the city's most underserved populations. Today is a great day for this community, and I congratulate Choices Medical and its partners for their efforts towards closing the 'health-gap' that affects so many New Yorkers.”
According to the 2006 New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Profile, “Take Care Jamaica,” Jamaica ranks below average (in the bottom 10 of 41 NYC neighborhoods surveyed) for the indicator “Having a Healthy Baby” because of two critical factors:
- The greater likelihood that mothers in Jamaica are more likely to receive late or no prenatal care which impacts negatively on the health of both mother and baby.
- The high birth rate to teenage mothers (15-19 years) in Jamaica, 35 percent higher than Queens overall.
“As a long time leader in state-of-the-art women’s health care, Choices Women's Medical Center is well positioned and qualified to address both these important health issues. We need to be where we are most needed,” said Merle Hoffman, Choices' President and Founder.
According to Catherine Abate, CEO of Community Healthcare Network, "In light of our organization’s roots in women’s health and our strong history of collaboration with Choices Women’s Medical Center, we are delighted to learn of their impending expansion to Jamaica, Queens, an area where we are also growing our presence. I hope that in the future we are able to further strengthen our partnership to achieve our shared mission of improving women’s health and access to family planning."
Merle Hoffman is the author of the upcoming memoir, Intimate Wars: The Life and Times of the Woman Who Brought Abortion from the Back Alley to the Boardroom (www.intimatewars.com), due for release in January 2012 and published by Feminist Press. She is also the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of On The Issues Magazine, a feminist magazine of independent critical thinking (www.ontheissuesmagazine.com).
For more information on all of Choices' services, see www.choicesmedical.com.
Luncheon Information:
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 12-3 p.m.
O Lavrador Restaurant
138-40 101st Avenue, Jamaica, Queens
RSVP:
Lorna Aguilos
Director of Marketing/Outreach
718-349-9100
lorna@choicesmedical.com
What’s New At Choices Women’s Medical Center
September 11, 2011
We Love NYC for Its New Sex Ed Program!
Hats off to New York City’s new program requiring students in all public middle and high schools to take sex education classes beginning this school year. As reported in the New York Times, the suggested curriculum will include safe sex, how to use a condom and the appropriate age for sexual activity.
At Choices, we have direct experience with the critical need for young people to have accurate, science-based sex and sexuality education for their own health and well-being - every day, our trained counselors are asked many basic questions about sex and reproduction. We urge everyone receiving this newsletter to support this new school program.
Birth Control Means Better Health and Lives
Unintended pregnancies can bring serious health problems for women and their families. Pregnancies and births close together or for very young women can mean health risks for the fetus and infant, including low birth weight and premature birth, both of which are risk factors for infant mortality. Low-income women, with less access to good health care, are in special danger – and a much greater percentage of these women have unintended pregnancies, which also often interfere with a woman’s education, employment or other life plans.
A new analysis from the non-profit Guttmacher Institute, shows that 5 percent of all U.S. women have an unintended pregnancy every year. But the rate is much higher for poor women, 13 percent – five times greater than for higher-income women. Income level is the greatest risk factor for unplanned pregnancies.
Guttmacher Institute President Sharon Camp commented, “We must ensure that all women, and particularly those who are most vulnerable, have access to the education and range of reproductive health services and counseling they need in order to plan the pregnancies they want and prevent the ones they don’t.”
Choices Women’s Medical Center has a full range of birth control options available at low- or no-cost under the Family Planning Benefit Program. If an unplanned pregnancy occurs, a woman has the choice of pregnancy termination (abortion) or carrying the pregnancy to term under our pre-natal program. We are committed to helping every woman make the best choice for herself and her family.
At this time of the 9.11 anniversary, we contemplate the future.
For thoughtful commentary on the theme of Women, War and Peace, I invite you to look at the Summer edition of On the Issues Magazine.
Very best wishes,
Merle Hoffman
Founder/President
Choices Women’s Medical Center
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