New York Implements 20 Hours of Paid Prenatal Care

New York has begun a new program marking a major step forward in the well being of pregnant New Yorkers. Effective January 1st, 2025, New York became the first state to entitle full time and part time employees with 20 hours of paid leave to be used for prenatal care. This prenatal care can include physical examinations, fertility treatments, testing and medical procedures, and other medical visits that help to ensure a healthy pregnancy. The new legislation requires employers who employ one or more employees to provide these 20 hours for prenatal care at the onset of employment, making it illegal to force employees to accrue hours over a period of time. These 20 hours are distinct from any other state provided leave, and employers are forbidden to reduce other benefits to compensate for the additional 20 hours.

Regular prenatal care is essential for a healthy mother and baby. Routine appointments help mothers stay educated and help doctors identify potential issues early on, reducing the risk of complications. According to the Office on Women’s Health, “Babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care.” 

Before this law was in place, many pregnant women were tasked with the impossible choice of either their paycheck or a doctor’s visit. In an interview with News12, Senator Bill Weber said, “Hopefully it’s a less stressful situation knowing that they have these hours available to them and they’ll make sure that they go to these doctors’ visits, which are, as we all know, extremely important.”

With the U.S. coming in last in maternal mortality rate amongst high income countries, the hope is that this new law will encourage other states to recognize the importance of prenatal care for their constituents. 

While the U.S. has a long way to go to catch up with other high income countries, this law demarcates a clear shift in the way New York is handling healthcare.