A5576

The New York State Senate passed legislation to expand transparency requirements for hospitals and birth centers regarding racial disparities in pregnancy and birth outcomes, advancing efforts to address maternal health inequities. Assembly Bill 5576 (Calendar 99) passed on a 59-0 vote. The bill expands upon existing law that requires hospitals and birth centers to distribute informational leaflets to maternity patients by requiring additional information about racial disparities and facility-specific statistics. Sen. Webb, who sponsored the measure in the Senate, highlighted alarming disparities: Black women are at least three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications and 50 percent more likely to suffer severe complications. Webb argued the expanded transparency will empower expectant mothers, particularly in BIPOC and rural communities with limited prenatal care options, to make informed decisions about their care. The legislation takes effect 180 days after becoming law.