Three new policies - increased minimum wage, the nation's first paid prenatal leave law and a ban on insulin co-pays for state-regulated insurance plans - have gone into effect beginning this week in New York.

According to Gov. Kathy Hochul, a pregnant woman who earns minimum wage and is diabetic would have an additional $2,500 in their pocket as a result of these new initiatives.

“The new year has arrived — and so have three major new policies that will make a difference in the lives of working people,” Gov. Hochul said. “The cost of living is just too damn high, so I'm doing everything in my power to make New York more affordable for families.”

The state minimum wage has increased to $16 in New York City and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester and to $15 in all other parts of the state. It is also scheduled to increase by $0.50 per year on Jan. 1, 2025 and Jan. 1, 2026.

Additionally, any privately employed pregnant New Yorker is now able to receive an additional 20 hours of paid leave for prenatal care and eliminating insulin co-pays on state-regulated insurance plans is estimated to save eligible New Yorkers up to $1,200 per year and an estimated $14 million in 2025 alone.