Addabbo Bill to Provide Insurance Coverage for Prenatal Vitamins Approved by New York State Senate

Queens, NY (May 22, 2024): A bill (S.1965A) sponsored by NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. to provide insurance coverage for prenatal vitamins was recently approved by the New York State Senate.

“Prenatal vitamins can be very expensive, especially for women of limited economic means, so providing expectant parents with a helping hand in ensuring the best possible outcomes for their pregnancies and babies is common sense,” Addabbo stated. “Studies have shown that pregnant women often develop vitamin deficiencies that can present significant risks to their health and that of their unborn children. Requiring insurance coverage for prenatal vitamins is a step in the right direction,” added Addabbo. 

 The Addabbo bill, passed by the NYS Assembly in January, defines the individual, group, and corporate insurance policies that must provide coverage for prenatal vitamins, and allows for annual deductibles and coinsurance. 

“Women attempting to become pregnant are frequently advised to begin taking prenatal vitamins even before conception,” Addabbo said.  “Adequate amounts of folic acid are considered particularly important in preventing defects of the fetal brain and spinal cord, and sufficient iron can help to provide an adequate oxygen supply for the unborn child while safeguarding against anemia.  Other vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and Vitamin D, are also necessary to help ensure the health and well-being of both mother and child.”

Addabbo noted it is often difficult for those of limited incomes to consume adequate vitamins and minerals from their diets alone, especially with the high costs of many nutritious foods.  A 2022 study conducted by several scientists affiliated with the Neurological Health Foundation and Autism Research Institute, among others, found that insufficient vitamin intake is associated with a wide range of pregnancy complications, including cesarean section, depression, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and preeclampsia. Infant health problems related to vitamin deficiencies in the maternal bloodstream include low birth weight, congenital heart defects, preterm birth, impaired intellectual development, and a variety of physical defects. 

 Addabbo concluded, “Ensuring greater access to costly prenatal vitamin supplements holds great promise for improving the health and overall lives of women, their children, and their families throughout our State: a goal that benefits every single one of us.”

 After its passage by the Senate and Assembly, the bill currently awaits the Governor’s signature to be enacted into law.