Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Ragesoss
Prenatal vitamins can have several health benefits for both mother and child.
By Michael V. Cusenza
A bill aimed at ensuring that women across New York have access to quality prenatal vitamins without the financial burden often associated with such care was approved by the State Senate but failed to pass the Assembly, the legislation’s sponsor, Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), announced Monday.
According to Addabbo, prenatal vitamins can have several health benefits for both mother and child, ranging from supplying more oxygen to the baby and preventing bone loss in the mother. According to the proposed law, any policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs must also cover prenatal vitamins when prescribed or ordered by an authorized health care provider. Such coverage may be subject to appropriate annual deductibles and coinsurance consistent with those established for other benefits within a given policy.
“Today’s busy lifestyle makes nutrient-deficient diets extremely convenient, which presents great risk to soon-to-be mothers lacking access to consistent sources of necessary vitamins and minerals. Expanding insurance coverage to include prenatal vitamins will increase access to supplements that lead to safer pregnancy and healthy births,” said Addabbo. “With women’s health at the forefront of national news, this would have been another important step towards ensuring comprehensive care for every pregnant woman regardless of their ability to afford such services. While the bill failed to advance in the Assembly during this year’s session, I will continue to advocate for this bill and make it a personal priority for me, along with other women’s issues.”
