Addabbo Bill Ensuring Access to Prenatal Vitamins Approved By Senate Insurance Committee

Queens, NY (January 24, 2024): The New York State Senate Insurance Committee approved legislation (S.1965-A) sponsored by NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. to ensure women in Queens and across New York State have access to quality prenatal vitamins without the financial burden often associated with such care.

“Expanding insurance coverage to include prenatal vitamins will provide access to supplements that lead to safer pregnancy and healthy births,” said Addabbo. “Today’s busy lifestyle makes nutrient-deficient diets extremely convenient, which presents great risk to soon-to-be mothers who lack access to many important vitamins and minerals. While my bill was unanimously approved in the Senate last May, it died in the Assembly. I implore the Assembly’s approval of the same-as bill A.3865-A, so immediate access can be provided to those individuals who will greatly benefit from these critical nutrients,” Addabbo concluded. 

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 legislation, 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.

“Doing our part to enact this legislation into law would be another important step towards ensuring comprehensive care for every pregnant woman regardless of their ability to afford such services,” Addabbo. “While the bill failed to advance in the Assembly during last year’s session, I will push for this and other women’s issues to be approved during this year’s legislative session,” added Addabbo.