Veterans

This bill (A 2058) creates a state maternity care coordinator role to improve support for pregnant and postpartum veterans in New York. The coordinator must facilitate coordination between the VA, state health agencies, hospitals, and maternity care providers (like obstetricians and midwives) to address veteran-specific health needs. Key provisions require the coordinator to disseminate information about conditions affecting veteran mothers, develop referral systems for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and promote the federal Veterans Community Care Program. The bill also repeals outdated sections and updates screening tools for providers. Signed into law on February 14, 2025, it directly affects veterans accessing maternity care and the healthcare providers serving them.

This bill establishes a maternity care coordinator role to improve coordination of healthcare for pregnant and postpartum veterans. The coordinator will work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, state health agencies, hospitals, and providers to connect veterans with maternity care services, share information about mental and physical health conditions affecting pregnancy, and promote the Veterans Community Care Program. It amends existing law to require this coordination, including disseminating resources to healthcare providers about veteran-specific care needs and referral systems for veterans with service-connected disabilities. The bill directly affects veterans receiving maternity care and the healthcare providers who serve them.