| Releases
& Statements
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2007
Contact: John Collins
(212) 669-4193; (917) 496-4587
Release #: 024-2007
Public
Advocate Gotbaum Introduces Legislation to Create Citywide,
Online Database of Vital Maternity Information
- New database will help expecting mothers make healthy decisions
-
MANHATTAN
– Public Advocate Gotbaum will introduce new legislation
tomorrow that will require the City Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene to create an online database of vital maternity information.
The new database, a compilation of statistics about birthing procedures,
including the number of C-sections, epidurals and episiotomies,
performed in area hospitals, will help expecting mothers make
healthy birth decisions.
Under
the New York State Maternity Information Act (MIA), individual
hospitals are required to provide women with this crucial birthing
information in pamphlets. But the City is not required to post
a comprehensive database of maternity information for expecting
mothers.
Public
Advocate Gotbaum said, “Information is essential –
especially when you’re dealing with the health of mothers
and children. The City should give women greater access to information
they can use to protect themselves and their families. An online
database will allow mothers to find hospital information quickly
and easily, and help them make safe, informed decisions.”
New
York City C-section rates have been sky-high in recent years,
reaching almost 40% at certain hospitals. The proposed legislation
will help women compare and contrast birthing statistics at area
hospitals before they make a decision about where to deliver.
Council
Member Joel Rivera, Majority Leader and Chair of the Health Committee,
is a co-sponsor of the proposed legislation. Majority Leader Rivera
said, “The public has the right to know each hospital's
maternity-related procedures and practices. This information can
help prospective maternity patients better understand what to
expect regarding their childbirth choices and to better plan for
their baby's birth.”
Over
the past two years, Public Advocate Gotbaum has released a series
of reports highlighting the lack of access to information about
birthing procedures and rates. In 2005 and 2006, her reports found
that none of the hospitals distributed the information required
by the MIA. After the release of the reports, Public Advocate
Gotbaum has been in contact with hospitals to ensure that this
information is available.
Public
Advocate Gotbaum announced last week that 39 of 44 hospitals with
maternity wards have provided the informational pamphlets to her
office. After the announcement, two of the five outstanding hospitals
made the information available. Public Advocate Gotbaum hopes
to work with all hospitals to ensure that expecting mothers receive
the comprehensive birthing information they deserve and are entitled
to by the law.
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