Joint Public Hearing: An Examination of Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Rates in New York State

Joint—Senate Standing Committee on Women’s Issues
Chair: Senator Lea Webb
Senate Standing Committee on Health
Chair: Senator Gustavo Rivera
Senate Standing Committee on Social Services
Chair: Senator Roxanne J. Persaud
and Senate Standing Committee on Mental Health
Chair: Senator Samra Brouk
Public Hearing: An Examination of Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Rates in New York State
Place: Van Buren Hearing Room A, Legislative Office Building, 2nd Floor, Albany, NY 12247
Time: 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Contact: Diana Hernandez (518) 455-2170
Media Contact: Jailah Pettis (607) 773-8771
ORAL TESTIMONY BY INVITATION ONLY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING 

SUBJECT: State of Maternal Health: An Examination of Maternal Mortality And Morbidity Rates in New York State 

PURPOSE: The purpose of the hearing is to document concerns, and ideas from various stakeholders and impacted individuals about the barriers to prenatal and 

postpartum care. Testimony will be taken from governmental administrators, advocacy groups, health practitioners and professionals, and individuals who have been impacted by maternal mortality and morbidity issues in New York. 

The rate of maternal mortality in the United States is approximately 23.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, the worst rate of any high-income country. In the United States, New York ranks 22ndfor highest maternal mortality rate. From 2018-2020, the State Department of Health reported a maternal mortality rate of 19.3 per 100,000 live births. This rate also included a racial disparity larger than the national average. Black women were more than four times as likely to die while giving birth in comparison to white women in New York State, and more than 70 percent of these deaths are preventable. 

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Women’s Issues Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation. 

Oral testimony will be limited to 5 minutes duration. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Women’s Issues Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements. 

Attendees and participants at any legislative public hearing should be aware that these proceedings are video recorded. Their likenesses may be included in any video coverage shown on television or the internet. 

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Women’s Issues Committee, in accordance with the Senate’s policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be

provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to State Legislature facilities and activities.

JOINT PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM