ONEONTA – With a new year comes a new state law passed to help pregnant women qualify for health care enrollment outside of the open enrollment period.

The newly adopted work of legislation, sponsored by 51st Senate District Rep. James Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo late December, is being hailed as “landmark legislation” by Seward’s office, and gives women who are pregnant a fair chance at receiving prenatal care by enrolling in any health insurance plan at any time throughout the year.

“Quality prenatal health care is vital to ensuring the well-being of both mother and child alike,” Seward stated. “Clearing insurance hurdles to help pregnant women access health care will help head off a number of health risks and provide long-term cost savings to the state’s health care system.”

The new law eliminates previous barriers that left pregnancy off the list of “qualifying events” which allowed New Yorkers to enroll in health care outside the enrollment period. While such events included marriage, divorce, becoming a U.S. citizen, and giving birth, pregnancy wasn’t included.