City Council passes legislation to strengthen maternal care supports

On Thursday, the New York City Council voted to pass legislation to strengthen maternal health support for birthing mothers before, during, and after pregnancy and improve transparency of maternal mortality information.

The Council said an average of more than 20 women die in New York City each year from pregnancy-related causes and that additional deaths occur from pregnancy-associated causes.

The latest available data reveals that Black New Yorkers are six times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes compared to white New Yorkers.

The maternal mortality crisis, which has severe racially disparate impacts, has been a priority for the Council to address.

The Council also passed legislation to increase efficiency and transparency in the city’s contracting and procurement processes by providing information on subcontracting decisions, establishing standardized insurance policy requirements for food vendors, and creating a formal mechanism to challenge procurement decisions.

“As a city, we must come together to address the solvable issue of maternal mortality and strengthen maternal health supports for women and people who can become pregnant,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “When you look at the severe racial disparities in the cases of maternal mortality, it becomes clear that this is a public health emergency that requires comprehensive solutions.

“The Council is proud to continue our work on maternal health with this legislative package to make critical health information and resources more transparent and accessible,” she added. “New Yorkers are counting on us to treat this public health crisis with the urgency and dignity that our mothers deserve, and I look forward to our continued work with stakeholders across the city to address the preventable causes that underlie maternal mortality.” 

Strengthening Maternal Health Supports to Continue Combating Maternal Mortality,

Introduction 912-B, sponsored by Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez, would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to develop materials that identify resources for parents and guardians of newborn children and distribute such information to new parents and guardians after receiving the registration of any birth.

The bill would also require DOHMH to maintain a searchable directory of community-based organizations supporting maternal health, which is available on their website.

“It’s unacceptable that new parents in New York City are left to navigate a maze of resources during one of the most stressful times of their lives,” said  Gutierrez. “The Newborn Navigator Act is a no-brainer—it’s about using simple tech solutions to make sure vital information is as easy to access as anything else on your phone.

“We can’t afford to let more parents and infants fall through the cracks because of bureaucracy or outdated systems,” she added. “Every family deserves clear access to the support they need, without the struggle. We should have been doing this all along, and it’s time we make it right.”

Introduction 891-A, sponsored by Council Member Farah Louis, would require DOHMH to post information annually related to the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee – established to analyze clinical factors and social determinants of health-related to maternal mortality – on its website.

Introduction 892-A, also sponsored by Louis, would require employers to distribute their written lactation room accommodation policy to employees when they are hired and post the policy in the workplace and on the employer’s intranet, if one exists.

“Today, the City Council has taken vital steps toward protecting maternal health and workplace equity by passing Intros 891 and 892,” said Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, representing the 45th Council District in Brooklyn.

“These bills ensure transparency in maternal health oversight and mandate lactation accommodations for working mothers. No woman should face preventable risks during childbirth, nor should new mothers have to choose between work and providing for their children,” added the chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equity. “I am committed to ensuring that our institutions support and protect all women and legislate transparency and accountability for mothers across our city. I want to thank Speaker Adams for her unwavering commitment to equity and advancing this crucial legislation.”

Resolution 133-A, sponsored by Council Member Julie Menin, would call on the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation increasing Medicaid reimbursement to cover eight pre- and postnatal visits and delivery support by doulas.

The New York Coalition for Doula Access (NYCDA) stressed that implementing an equitable Medicaid reimbursement rate for doula services would exponentially increase access to doulas, help retain doulas in the profession, and improve family health outcomes.

“New York State must increase Medicaid reimbursement to include doula care for newly expectant mothers, providing them with essential emotional, physical, and educational support when they are most vulnerable and in need of support,” said Menin.

“As a mother and as co-chair of the Women’s Caucus, I can’t overstate the importance of access to equitable pre and postnatal medical care in our city,” she added. “Resolution 133 is a crucial step toward ensuring mothers receive vital Medicaid reimbursement for essential pre-and postnatal care, which is vital for the health of women and their newborns. Thank you, Speaker Adams, for advancing this resolution as part of the maternal health package being voted on today.”

Resolution 293-A, sponsored by Council Member Althea Stevens, would call on the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign S.2898A/A.4017A, also known as the Chisholm Chance Act, which would establish a plan to address the severe maternal morbidity crisis in Brooklyn and the Bronx.

Brooklyn and the Bronx, in particular, carry a disproportionate burden of maternal and infant mortality rates, with residents of Brooklyn, followed by the Bronx, reportedly having among the highest number of both pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths.

“As a mother myself, I know firsthand the importance of ensuring that our healthcare systems prioritize the safety and well-being of Black women and birthing people. The disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly in the Bronx and Brooklyn, are both tragic and preventable,” said Council Member Althea Stevens. 

“The Chisholm Chance Act is a necessary step toward addressing the systemic racism and inequities that have left too many of our mothers and babies vulnerable,” she added. “In a country where women’s rights are under attack, we owe it to our communities as a city to create safer pathways to childbirth to save lives and protect future generations.”