Governor Kathy Hochul will undertake an ambitious effort to address the maternal and infant mortality crisis in New York as outlined yesterday in her third project for 2024 with a view to the next ‘State of the State’ address, which will be held next Tuesday the 9th, at the Capitol in Albany.
The comprehensive six-point plan, including establishing the first statewide paid prenatal leave in the country, reducing unnecessary C-sections that put mothers at risk, and implementing new training and resources for maternal mental health through the hotline 988 and the expansion of the TEACH Project, among other objectives, is now added to the plans previously outlined by the state executive.
Hochul pointed out during the press conference held at the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn that this crisis was a personal problem for her, as the first mother to win the New York governorship.
“Make no mistake: we are facing a maternal and infant mortality crisis. “We are committed to addressing this crisis head-on with policies that encourage parents and children throughout New York State,” the governor said.
“Every mother, every family deserves to have the joy and excitement associated with pregnancy and childbirth, not the fear and trepidation when we bring these little people into the world. When all families have the support they need…we keep moms and babies alive, and our potential is limitless…We can do better. I know we can…” she added.
Taking into account studies showing that prenatal health care is highly correlated with better health outcomes for mothers and babies and that pregnant women who have access to regular prenatal medical visits are less likely to die during childbirth and their newborns have more probability of being healthy, Hochul proposes creating the first Paid Prenatal Leave in the country – at the state level.
And it will do so by expanding the existing Paid Family Leave to include 40 hours of paid leave for pregnant women to attend prenatal appointments.
The series of proposed strategies come as recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show an increase in infant mortality for the first time in more than two decades.
Break down barriers
Another initiative seeks to expand access to doula services – birth experts who provide physical, emotional and informational support before, during and after the birth experience – facilitating access for low-income mothers who depend on Medicaid for your health insurance coverage. Already last year, Hochul had signed a law to create the first directory of doulas in New York state.
Additionally, to reduce barriers to access to maternal and child health care, co-pays and other out-of-pocket costs will be eliminated for New Yorkers who rely on the Essential plan and other qualified health plans.
Additionally, new oversight mechanisms will be established to prevent unnecessary cesarean sections, and maternal mental health and postpartum depression will be addressed through increased training and resources through the 988 information line and the expansion of Project TEACH.
The governor also included in her proposal a measure to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant deaths, or SUDS. In New York, more than 120 babies die from this cause annually.
To address this issue, the Hochul Administration will fund portable cribs for low-income families to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
The health initiative, which benefits minorities and vulnerable communities, was received favorably by health authorities and elected officials.
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald was emphatic that under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York had significantly improved its maternal health agenda. “These state priorities not only protect maternal mental health, but also aim to minimize unnecessary cesarean sections. They also reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, establish paid prenatal leave, expand doula services, and eliminate co-pays and out-of-pocket maternal and infant medical costs for Medicaid members, providing families with emotional support during pregnancy , childbirth and postpartum.”
For her part, OCFS Acting Commissioner Suzanne Miles-Gustave highlighted that Hochul continues to prioritize the well-being of families.
“Our precious children can only thrive when their caregivers receive the treatments and resources necessary for healthy development both before and after birth. “Once again, New York is proving to be a pioneer in maternal health and we are excited to help lead these life-saving initiatives,” she commented.
“I am encouraged by Governor Hochul’s focus on investing in solutions to ensure pregnant people, mothers and babies are safe and supported,” said City Council President Adrienne Adams.
“Racial disparities in New York’s maternal health outcomes remain evident, underscoring the importance of urgent action by all levels of government to address this crisis,” he added.
2024-01-05 19:48:56
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