Haitian Legislators in NY Welcome New Initiative to Combat Maternal and Infant Mortality

NEW YORK, New York – Two Haitian legislators have welcomed New York Governor’s Kathy Hochul’s comprehensive six-point plan to combat maternal and infant mortality in the city.

New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that they are in full support of the Governor’s third proposal unveiled in her 2024 State of the State Address.

“Our communities keep hearing the grim statistics about our maternal health crisis. Our communities are asking for action, and our Governor Kathy Hochul keeps stepping up to the plate,” said Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who chairs the Brooklyn Democratic Party.

Bichotte Hermelyn, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, noted that, in 2023, Hochul delivered 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave benefits to more than 80 per cent of the state workforce, signed a law creating the state’s first directory of doulas, making them available to all medicare enrollees, “while signing my introduced Mickie’s Law  to ensure that mothers who experience fetal deaths receive timely treatment”.

Doulas are birthing experts who provide physical, emotional and informational support before, during and after the child-birthing experience.

“As we start 2024, and a new legislative session, I applaud our Governor for continuing critical advancements to the Maternal Morbidity Agenda, with a six-point-policy plan, delivering nearly US$86 million invested in key elements, including expanding paid family leave to cover prenatal care; providing paid benefit for access to prenatal medical appointments; allowing New Yorkers to use doula services without a recommendation from a physician; and reducing the rate of preventable C-sections,” said Bichotte Hermelyn.

“This is a great new start to the year, as my colleagues and I keep working in the Legislature with our governor to make motherhood safer for all. The statistics are shocking; recent CDC (US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention) studies revealed an increase in infant mortality for the first time in over two decades.

“As a survivor of maternal loss, I am steadfastly committed to combating the maternal mortality crisis to make motherhood safer for all and to prevent the avoidable and indescribable trauma that’s disproportionately devastating Black and colored communities,” Bichotte Hermelyn said.

Narcisse, a registered nurse, who was born in Haiti and represents the 46th Council District in Brooklyn, said Black women and immigrants continue to “bear the brunt of many inequities.

“As a Black woman, nurse, City Council Member and chair of the Committee on Hospitals, I remain particularly concerned about Black maternal mortality. Despite significant advancements in medical care, stark disparities continue to exist in reproductive care offered in our communities, city, state and nation.

“I am delighted that Governor Hochul has taken such an aggressive approach to combat maternal and infant mortality,” she said, adding “our female majority Council has been laser focused in their efforts to help close the maternal health gap”.

The Councilwoman said she was looking forward to “our continued work and partnership with Governor Hochul to ensure that no matter their color or economic status every New Yorker has access to, and receives equitable and high-quality maternal care, and are never pushed to the side.”

Recent CDC statistics revealed an increase in infant mortality for the first time in over two decades.

In addressing this crisis, the Governor said she will introduce new policies and legislation to expand access to high-quality prenatal care, reduce costs for mothers and families, fight postpartum depression and support infants in the first months of their lives.

Hochul said she will expand New York’s nation-leading statewide Paid Family Leave policy (PFL) to include 40 hours of paid leave to attend prenatal medical appointments – making New York the first state in the nation to establish statewide coverage for prenatal care.

She pointed to studies that show that prenatal health care is highly correlated with improved health outcomes for mothers and infants.

The Governor said pregnant mothers, who have access to regular prenatal medical visits, are less likely to die in childbirth, and their newborns are more likely to be healthy.

She noted that, under New York’s current paid family leave law, short-term disability benefits are not available until four weeks prior to the child’s birth after a seven-day waiting period.

“Adding prenatal care as a separate qualifying event under PFL will enable pregnant workers to ensure their medical needs are met without sacrificing their ability to support the household, or paid leave available for bonding following the birth,” Hochul said.

She also said she will introduce legislation in her Executive Budget that would enable the Commissioner of Health to issue a “standing order” allowing New Yorkers to utilize doula services without a referral from a physician.