Establishes fetal and infant mortality review boards to study fetal and infant mortality and morbidity and make recommendations on policies, best practices, and strategies to reduce fetal and infant mortality and morbidity.
The establishment of these review boards aims to significantly impact public health policy in New York by fostering comprehensive assessments of fetal and infant mortality. By centralizing the review process, the state seeks to improve the quality of healthcare provided to expectant mothers and infants, potentially reducing mortality rates through informed policy changes. Furthermore, the boards will focus on addressing systemic issues such as racial and economic disparities that affect fetal and infant health outcomes, aligning with broader health equity goals.
Bill S06717 establishes fetal and infant mortality review boards in New York State and the City of New York to examine cases of fetal and infant deaths. The primary aim of this legislation is to create a structured approach for analyzing the causes of such mortalities and morbidities while developing recommendations that can improve health outcomes. The board will assess various factors contributing to these tragic events, including reviewing death records and relevant health information, to identify preventable causes and develop strategies that drive policy recommendations and best practices.
Despite the bill's intent to improve health outcomes, there could be potential contention surrounding the collection and use of sensitive data concerning fetal and infant deaths. Concerns may arise about privacy issues and the implications of how this information is shared among healthcare providers and state agencies. The legislation includes provisions to maintain confidentiality; however, stakeholders may question the potential for misuse of sensitive health data in practice, and whether the review findings would be effectively translated into actionable public health strategies.