New York has extended a taxpayer-funded health care pilot for sex workers through June 30, 2028, adding about $1.5 million to a program that began under Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration in 2023.
Contracts Run Through 2028
The program is operated through the Department of Health’s AIDS Institute. It provides access to primary care, sexual health care, behavioral health services, and dental care.
The state procurement notice shows the latest contract period runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. The listed contractors are EHS Inc. and Community Health Project, which is affiliated with Callen-Lorde.
Two Providers Lead Care
The program does not give cash directly to sex workers. It funds health providers to deliver or coordinate medical services for people who identify as sex workers.
Callen-Lorde’s own program materials say its COIN program provides free care in an affirming setting. The Callen-Lorde COIN clinic page says patients can access primary care, sexual health care, behavioral health care, dental care, pharmacy services, and case management.
Health Department Defends Program
The Department of Health has defended the pilot as a public health initiative. The agency said all New Yorkers deserve access to quality, barrier-free care.
The AIDS Institute’s role places the program within a broader state health system focused on HIV, sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis, and services for populations facing barriers to care. The AIDS Institute web page says the office coordinates state programs related to HIV, STIs, and other public health services.
Supporters of this type of program argue that sex workers may avoid traditional medical settings because of stigma, safety concerns, lack of insurance, or fear of legal consequences. They say targeted services can help connect people to care before health problems become more serious.
No New Bidding Process
The Department of Health said a competitive process was not feasible in this instance. It also said more time was needed to evaluate the program.
That decision has become one of the central points of criticism. Opponents say a program now expected to last five years should face a stronger review before more public money is committed.
Single-source contracts are not unusual in government. Agencies can use them when they believe existing vendors have unique experience or when a transition could disrupt services.
Republican Lawmakers Object
Republican lawmakers criticized the extension after details became public. They argued the funding rewards a policy direction they oppose and should have gone through the Legislature.
Assemblyman Michael Novakhov, a Brooklyn Republican, sharply criticized the program and compared the spending with the financial struggles of emergency medical workers. He argued the state should prioritize frontline health workers who say they cannot afford basic living costs.
Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo, a Staten Island Republican, also objected. He said Hochul was catering to progressive officials who support decriminalizing sex work.
The critics have argued that existing public clinics already provide reproductive health, STI treatment, and other services. They say a separate sex worker program is unnecessary.
Decriminalization Debate Shadows Program
The health pilot does not legalize prostitution. It does not change New York criminal law. But the program is being debated inside a larger political fight over sex work policy. Some progressive lawmakers have supported proposals to remove certain prostitution-related penalties for consenting adults.
A New York Senate bill introduced in 2023 proposed decriminalizing certain prostitution offenses and amending rules tied to prosecutions and vacated judgments.
Supporters of decriminalization argue that criminal penalties make sex workers less safe and less likely to seek help. Opponents argue it would normalize exploitation and make enforcement harder.
Evaluation Still Pending
The next major issue is whether the state releases clear results from the pilot. So far, the public record does not provide a full outcome report showing how many people were served, how many appointments were completed, what services were most used, or whether health outcomes improved.
Those numbers will likely shape the next stage of the debate. Lawmakers could seek more details on enrollment, cost per participant, and whether the program reduced untreated infections or emergency care.
