S7702A

The New York State Senate passed legislation requiring the Department of Health to convene a maternal healthcare and birthing standards workgroup, with a vote of 61-0 on Calendar Number 103, Senate Print 7702A, sponsored by Sen. Webb. The bill aims to address New York's maternal and infant mortality crisis through a comprehensive review of maternal health and birthing standards. Sen. Webb emphasized during floor debate that responsibility for reproductive and maternal healthcare is a collective responsibility across the chamber, not solely that of women legislators. She cited alarming statistics, noting that pregnant people in New York are three times as likely to die compared to national averages and hundreds of thousands of children are born with low birth weights. The workgroup will examine data, best practices, and recommendations to improve birth outcomes and reproductive care for all New Yorkers. Webb noted the legislation complements recent initiatives from Governor Hochul addressing maternal mental health, access to care, and unnecessary C-sections, as well as the Biden administration's June 2022 blueprint for addressing the maternal health crisis. The bill passed unanimously.