Third proposal in Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State aims to take on Maternal and Infant Mortality crisis

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled the third proposal of her 2024 State of the State: a comprehensive six-point plan to combat maternal and infant mortality in New York.

Recent CDC statistics revealed an increase in infant mortality – for the first time in over two decades.

To address this crisis, Governor Hochul will introduce new policies and legislation to expand access to high-quality prenatal care, reduce costs for mothers and families, fight postpartum depression and support infants in the first months of their lives.

“Make no mistake: we are facing a maternal and infant mortality crisis,” Governor Hochul said.

“As New York’s first mom governor, this is personal to me. We are committed to tackling this crisis head-on with policies that lift up parents and children throughout the State of New York.”

Major highlights in the proposal include: creating a first in the nation paid prenatal leave; expanding access to doula care through standing order; eliminating co-pays and other out of pocket costs for essential plan and qualified health plans; new oversight mechanisms to avoid unnecessary C-Sections; addressing maternal health and post-partum depression and reducing the risk of sudden unexpected infant deaths.

For more, check out the Governor’s website.

Governor Hochul image.