By Bill Parry
New York state has become the first in the nation to advance legislation to ensure prenatal care for all after lawmakers in both chambers passed a bill, last week to make pregnancy a qualifying event for enrollment in a health insurance plan. The legislation, introduced by state Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria), followed a report by city Comptroller Scott Stringer that highlighted the need for expanded access to vital prenatal care.
Under current law, New Yorkers can enroll in a health insurance plan only during a designated open enrollment period, unless they experience a qualifying event triggering a special enrollment period. Qualifying events include marriage, divorce and gaining citizenship, among others.
While giving birth opens enrollment, becoming pregnant does not. This legislation closes this loophole, allowing women who become pregnant to apply for insurance at any time and guarantees access to prenatal care.
“Today, New York State took a major step towards establishing access to prenatal care as a right for all women, regardless of income,” Simotas said June18. “I know firsthand how important prenatal care is and I am so grateful to NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer for championing this issue.”
Stringer’s report showed that the failure to provide prenatal care to mothers and their children hurts public health and the economy, and he urged Gov. Cuomo to “sign this bill into law.”
Joan Malin, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of New York, said, “It’s essential that women who are uninsured when they become pregnant have the opportunity to get insurance through the Affordable Care Act outside of the open enrollment period. This legislation will improve the health of pregnant women, their families, and their communities.”
The following day, Simotas announced the passage of another bill to crack down on offenders who rub up against or ejaculate on another person on a bus, train or subway. The legislation passed by the Assembly and Senate increases penalties for these crimes.
“Grinding or ejaculating on a victim is a disgusting act that violates not only the individual but all of us who ride the subway,” Simotas said. “The law must reflect that these crimes on public transportation are particularly egregious because riders are essentially captives of their attackers.”
These offenses currently carry a maximum sentence of 90 days imprisonment or one year probation for the first offense. If the governor signs it, the legislation would raise the maximum sentence for the first time to one year in prison or three years probation.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
