BUFFALO, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke Wednesday in Queens, advocating for better health care for mothers and their children.
"What I want to do is find every way possible to support these moms, to get them through this and to have programs like the first state in the nation to offer paid leave for prenatal visits. Nobody else is doing that," Hochul said.
Hochul also announced several projects at hospitals to improve their pediatric intensive care units.
The state's paid prenatal leave policy starts Jan. 1, 2025, at which time employees will receive another 20 hours of sick leave for prenatal care. That's in addition to their regular sick leave.
Hochul announced the standalone prenatal leave policy back in May, planning for the fiscal year 2025 budget.
The state is also using $250,000 to start a grant program that will expand access to community-based doula to help train, support and mentor, especially in vulnerable communities.
“As New York’s first mom governor, addressing the maternal mortality crisis is personal for me," Hochul said. "Whether it’s investing in maternal health resources, securing first-in-the-nation paid prenatal leave or increasing access to doulas, I’ll never stop working to ensure safe, healthy pregnancies for moms across our state.”