S7700A

The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Webb to create a consolidated pregnancy app for Medicaid recipients, aiming to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in underserved communities. The bill, S7700A, passed on a roll call vote with 59 ayes. The legislation would provide New York-specific, expert-backed information on prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum care through a mobile application accessible to Medicaid-eligible women. Webb emphasized the bill's particular importance for rural and low-income populations, citing elevated rates of low birth weight, premature births, neonatal withdrawals, and infant mortality in her district. She noted that health literacy gaps, especially among first-time mothers, contribute to poor outcomes and that the app would serve as a "one-stop shop" connecting patients with vetted best practices, nearby providers, and supportive care resources. Webb pointed to successful implementations in other states, including Michigan, as evidence of the intervention's effectiveness. The legislation takes effect April 1, 2025.