New York is the first state in the U.S. to make pregnancy a "qualifying life event," allowing pregnant women to enroll in health insurance at any time through the state health exchange, rather than just during the three-month annual enrollment period.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law Dec. 23, putting pregnancy on the list of qualifying life events like birth or adoption of a child, marriage, divorce or death of a spouse. Coverage is now effective as of the first of the month the woman is confirmed pregnant.
"This legislation will help expectant mothers get access to essential pre-natal care and help build a stronger and healthier New York," Gov. Cuomo said in a statement. "I thank the bill sponsors for their hard work on this critically important issue that will have a significant impact on future generations of New Yorkers."
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