New York Governor Kathy Hochul, the state's first "mom governor," announced on Thursday her plan to introduce legislation that would provide up to 40 hours of paid medical leave for pregnant individuals. The proposal aims to ensure that expectant parents have the necessary time off to attend prenatal medical appointments and receive high-quality prenatal care. Governor Hochul made the announcement at Wycoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, where she also unveiled a series of proposals to address the rising rates of infant and maternal mortality in the state.

During her speech, Governor Hochul emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that New York is currently facing a maternal and infant mortality crisis. As a mother of two, she expressed her personal commitment to tackling this crisis head-on and implementing policies that support parents and children throughout the state. The proposed legislation would not only provide paid medical leave but also eliminate co-pays for out-of-pocket maternal medical expenses, streamline access to doulas, and allocate funding for cribs.

One of the key aspects of the plan is to allow New Yorkers to utilize doula services without the need for a physician's referral. This would be made possible through a "standing order" issued by the state commissioner of health, granting individuals direct access to this valuable support during pregnancy. Additionally, the proposal seeks to eliminate cost-sharing, including co-pays and other out-of-pocket expenses, for individuals enrolled in the Essential Plan or Qualified Health Plans.

Governor Hochul also launched an initiative to reduce the rate of unnecessary Cesarean births, commonly known as C-Sections. The plan includes oversight to identify physicians who deviate from clinical best practices, ensuring that medical interventions are only performed when necessary. This initiative aims to improve outcomes for both mothers and babies while reducing healthcare costs associated with unnecessary procedures.

Recognizing the significant impact of mental health conditions on pregnancy outcomes, the state plans to train 988 suicide and crisis lifeline counselors to better support expecting parents facing these challenges. Approximately one in five pregnancy-related deaths are attributed to mental health conditions, and about one in eight women who give birth experience postpartum depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The proposal comes in response to alarming statistics revealing a 2% increase in infant mortality between 2021 and 2022, compared to a 3% rise nationwide. Unsafe sleep settings contribute to approximately two infant deaths per week in New York, resulting in 120 infant deaths annually. To address this issue, Governor Hochul's plan includes funding for the distribution of portable cribs to under-resourced New Yorkers at no extra cost.

The governor's proposal will now need to be approved by the state Legislature. If successful, New York would become the first state in the nation to establish statewide coverage for prenatal care. The initiative aims to address the significant racial disparities in infant health outcomes, with the mortality rate for Black infants being 2.8 times higher than that of white or Hispanic infants in 2019.

While the proposal has received support from some lawmakers, concerns have been raised about potential cuts to other parts of the existing paid family leave program. State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages expressed her support for the idea but emphasized the need for smart policies that ensure all families have access to paid leave without compromising the program's overall funding.

The legislative session in New York began on Wednesday and will continue until June. Governor Hochul's proposal will be reviewed by state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and other lawmakers during this time. The governor's comprehensive plan to improve maternal and infant healthcare in the state reflects her commitment to addressing existing disparities and supporting families statewide.