NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3350
SPONSOR: Cunningham TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to including statis-
tics on childbirth complications, fetal losses, and other injuries in
information leaflets for maternity patients
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To expand the information hospitals and the Department of Health are
currently required to provide to maternity patients and the public to
include details on maternal outcomes, including deaths and injuries, and
the racial makeup of those outcomes.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subdivision 2 of section 2803-j of the Public Health
Law to require additional information be reported on hospital informa-
tion leaflets for maternity patients concerning birth outcomes, maternal
deaths, and racial disparities of those outcomes.
Section 2 provides for an immediate effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
N/A
JUSTIFICATION:
The United States has the highest maternal death rate among the world's
developed nations, with 26.4 deaths per 100,000 births (NIH 2019). While
other countries have been improving, U.S. rates continue to worsen. It
is estimated that over half of the 700 annual maternal deaths could be
prevented by better care (CDC). New York currently ranks 30th out of 50
states in its maternal death rate. The rate of maternal mortalities in
New York has risen from 15.4 per 100,000 live births in 2001-2003 to
19.6 per 100,000 in 2014-2016 (New York State Taskforce on Maternal
Mortality and Disparate Racial Outcomes 2019).
Despite recent increased attention and focus on this issue by policymak-
ers, such as the creation of Maternal Mortality Review Committees,
alarming cases continue to occur in our state of women, particularly
women of color, dying during or following childbirth. In light of the
recent cases and urgency to bring about real change, women and their
families are asking for more information and transparency. This legis-
lation requires that more detailed information on maternal outcomes and
maternal deaths at hospitals in New York State, in addition to their
racial disparities, is made available. Transparency often helps shine a
light that can lead to change. New Yorkers deserve nothing less.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: A.5509/S.3052 - Referred to Health
2019-20: A.10885/S.8729 - Referred to Health
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
