New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed several bills into law aimed to expand coverage of women’s health during and after pregnancy, the governor announced Wednesday.

One piece of legislation allows pregnant women to enroll in health insurance policies at any time without penalty and prohibits commercial health maintenance organizations from charging fees for special enrollment due to pregnancy.

Another requires commercial health insurers in New York to cover prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a health care practitioner. Another bill expands insurance coverage requirements for human donor milk to outpatient settings.

"We've taken another significant step towards ensuring that every expectant mother in our state has access to healthcare without barriers or delays,” Hochul said in a statetement. “This legislation underscores the commitment to making New York a leader in maternal health care and providing families with the support they deserve.”

New York has recently initiated first-in-the-nation paid prenatal leave, expanded access to doula services and aimed to make prenatal care less costly.

-

Facebook Twitter