Hochul Hosts Maternal Health Roundtable in The Bronx

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an $8 million capital commitment to help fund a project to expand a Morris Heights Health Center clinic, which will have all-inclusive and integrated programming and a maternal health Center of Excellence.

The Governor announced the new funding while hosting a roundtable with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, which included other elected officials and stakeholders to discuss ongoing efforts to improve infant and maternal health across the state and make prenatal care more accessible and affordable for New Yorkers.

The Governor emphasized the importance of advancing these efforts in the Bronx, which has some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in New York State. During the roundtable, the Governor also announced that the State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued a standing order which will expand access to much-needed doula services for birthing parents across the state.

Governor Hochul also highlighted that New York is now the first state in the nation to create a paid family leave program for prenatal care. New York has also made prenatal care more affordable for over a million low-income residents by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for certain pregnancy-related benefits for New Yorkers on the Essential Plan or Qualified Health Plans.

Source: The Office of the Governor