FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2015

Contact: Sarah Schultz, Sarah.Schultz@YoungInvincibles.org, 202-734-6510

New York State Recognizes Pregnancy as Qualifier for Year-Round Marketplace Healthcare

In a move that will bolster the health of expectant mothers and newborns, today Governor Cuomo signed a law making New York the first state in the country to recognize pregnancy as a qualifying life event to sign up for health insurance coverage through the state marketplace year-round. This new law will ensure that pregnant women in New York can sign up for insurance and access maternity and prenatal care during their pregnancy, regardless of income.

Young Invincibles released a report earlier this year, WithoutMaternity Coverage: The Need For Special Enrollment in the Health InsuranceMarketplaces During Pregnancy, which drew significant attention to the issue, helping spur legislation across the country and helping to lay the foundation for New York’s new law. The report identifies health insurance plans which still may not be providing comprehensive maternity coverage, including for young adults covered on a parent’s employer plan. The report also sheds light on the dire health and financial consequences for women who do not have access to comprehensive maternity coverage. The legislation passed today helps address these risks and better support young parents. Hundreds of young supporters contacted the Governor to urge him to sign the bill in the past week.

“Today marks an important step forward for New York’s young people, in making their health a priority ” said Kevin Stump, Northeast Director of Young Invincibles. “This new law will significantly benefit young adults, who make up more than 80 percent of new mothers. We’re thrilled that the New York legislature and Governor Cuomo are doing the right thing by protecting the health of pregnant women.”

The work informing and pushing forward this legislation was successful through the work of a range of stakeholders including New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, March Of Dimes New York, NARAL Pro-Choice New York, Planned Parenthood of New York City Action Fund, and New York Civil Liberties Union. This new law was made possible thanks to the leadership of Governor Cuomo, Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas and State Senator Liz Krueger.