The initial two Regional Perinatal Centers/Programs were established in Central New York and York City in 1975 by a major grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. By the early 1980’s it was apparent that the Regional Perinatal Center/Programs were extremely effective in improving the outcome of pregnancy including both maternal and perinatal outcomes. Based on this success it was decided to bring the concept of Perinatal Regionalization to the Department of Health for implementation via the development of regulations and appropriate funding. This process proceeded throughout the 80’s and the 90’s. Throughout the process of working with the Department of Health, the Regional Perinatal Centers were repeatedly urged to provide evidence of support and involvement from other components of the health team as well as the public itself. Based on this recommendation, the NYS Association of Regional Perinatal Centers/Programs (NYSARPP) decided to create a multi-disciplinary entity(to also engage consumers) resulting in the formation of the New York State Perinatal Association (NYSPA) in 1988. NYSPA was incorporated: a) To provide information to health care providers and health care consumers on the subject of perinatal health care, and b) To engage in the production of informational materials and meetings and any other activities which are in furtherance of the above purposes. Consistent with the original purpose the early mission was: “NYSPA is an alliance of professionals and consumers who advocate for optimal perinatal health and health care by promoting education, supporting research and influencing related policies”.
In the early years of the NYSPA organization there was a need for funding, and this was provided by NYSARPP as well as significant contributions from the National Foundation of The March of Dimes. The design of NYSPA was to segment the state into 8 regions which at the time of incorporation were modeled along the regional catchment areas of the March of Dimes. Each region had their own leadership who were responsible for convening regional meetings at their own determined frequency. Through the funding made available to NYSPA by the March of Dimes, each region was originally given a sum of money to use for their regional activities which could include general meetings, educational programs, support of their members attending the NYSPA (or other) conferences, etc. Regional leaders were official Board of Director members and reported out their regional activities at the quarterly board meetings.
As the organization evolved and remained focused on its original purposes; the regional leaders – when in their role as Board members, brought forward current and emerging issues impacting pregnancy and birth outcomes in their regions and developed annual advocacy agendas from which meetings were held with state elected leaders and government officials to advocate for – and advance – changes in laws and regulations related to the provision of perinatal care by providers and health care systems and to promote state funding to support service delivery. NYSPA’s advocacy helped to pass many new regulations for perinatal care practice as well as for coverage for perinatal care for those who couldn’t afford it or had limited access.
Shortly after incorporation, NYSPA leadership recognized the need to bring together the key organizations that had similar missions and visions for improved perinatal outcomes and services, and established a “section member” model to engage entities such as the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, the American Academy of Pediatricians, the March of Dimes, etc. Section membership for these organizations was done through a formal application (with annual fee) which required review and official approval by the Board of Directors. A key benefit to being a section member was that the organization identified a member of their leadership to represent them with a voting seat on the NYSPA Board of Directors. This level of collaboration greatly strengthened NYSPA’s ability to engage state leaders and help to effect change. In mid 2000s, section members were re-identified as “Perinatal Partners” to more accurately reflect the true collaboration among these groups.
A core component of NYSPA’s purpose to provide information on perinatal health and health care to its multi-disciplinary membership was – and remains to be – the hosting of an annual statewide perinatal health educational conference. The conference has historically been held in the state capital – Albany – to facilitate the engagement and networking with elected leaders and state government officials. Each year conference planning committees are convened and work to develop an agenda inclusive of topics which benefit all levels of clinical and community health care providers and professionals.
With no dedicated staff and growing problems with the Chapter model related to IRS and NYS Charities regulations; in 1996 the NYSPA Board President, Dr. Paul Yellin, asked the Board of Directors to authorize a contract with Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network of South Central New York(M&BPN) (1 of the 16 perinatal networks in NYS) to be the official home for NYSPA, assure compliance for all legal and fiduciary responsibilities and help with the planning and facilitation of the annual NYSPA conference. With the oversight of Sharon Chesna, M&BPN Executive Director, NYSPA greatly benefitted from M&BPN’s leadership and support for 28 years (1996 – 2023).
NYSPA’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Regional forums to link partners to enhance perinatal health.
- Collaborative conference with representatives from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York on “Crossing Boundaries & Disciplines to Improve Perinatal Care”, (2000).
- Advocated for increased PCAP eligibility to 250% FPL (2000)
- Worked with March of Dimes and other organizations to urge Governor Pataki to provide a gradual transition for the care of pregnant women to mandatory managed Medicaid, to support presumptive eligibility for prenatal care, and other key components of the PCAP standards. These efforts led to the successful inclusion of PCAP standards in the NYS Medicaid Managed Care Legislation, 1996.
- Provided testimony at numerous Public Hearings including invited testimony before the Governor’s Commission on Child Abuse and Neglect (2/96) and the State Senate’s Insurance Committee.
- Serves as an advisory to state government through representation on various bodies to the Executive and Legislative branches-including the Assembly Health Committee’s Perinatal Advisory Committee, various Ad Hoc Advisory Groups to the NYS Department of Health including those on Perinatal Regionalization, and Comprehensive Newborn HIV Testing Programs.
- Supported Legislative efforts for:
- The Midwifery Act
- Waving citizenship requirements for medical license in New York State (to increase the number of obstetrical providers and increase to care access for pregnant women)
- Direct access to obstetrical care, 1993
- Universal primary care for children in New York State (NYS Child Health Act) 1993
- Address potential hazards resulting from trends in early post-partum discharge of mothers and their babies, 1998
- Successfully challenged legislative efforts to include family savings and investment assests in eligibility criteria for PCAP, 1992.
- Endorsed the need for tort reform for the Neurologically Impaired Infant, 1992.
- Helped develop regulations relating to the provision of nutritional and psychosocial services for pregnant women in New York State, increased remuneration for physicians treating Medicaid patients and reduced reporting requirements, 1990.
- Supported Governor’s initiative to expand funding for prenatal care to women with incomes up to 185% of poverty levels, 1989.
- Supported Governor’s initiative to expand the Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP), 1988.
- Supported 24 month extension of Family Planning Services.
- Member of Nonprofit Education Initiative Consortium (NEI), Center for Women in Government at SUNY Albany.
Position Statements:
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Neurologically Impaired Infant Legislation
- Maternal/Newborn Transport
- Universal Newborn Hearing Screening
- PCAP Expansion