Governor Kathy Hochul today signed a legislative package to protect public health in New York State. The six new laws will ensure that state-regulated health plans cover biomarker testing to improve patient health outcomes; help address staffing shortages in nursing homes and other residential health care facilities; provide administrative relief to certain local health departments for services they provide in a patient’s home; reestablish the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Assistance Program to reimburse adults with cystic fibrosis for their health care or health insurance costs; authorize life insurers to establish wellness programs to prohibit insurers from reducing long-term disability insurance benefits; provide administrative relief to certain local health departments for services they provide in a patient’s home; and improve reporting and resolution of problems in residential care facilities.
“All New Yorkers deserve to live safe and healthy lives,” he said. Governor Hochul. “From expanding access to breast cancer testing to addressing staffing shortages in nursing homes, this legislative package addresses many of the critical issues facing our public health system today.”
Dr. James McDonald, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, said, “Governor Hochul continues to provide the tools necessary to ensure our public health system leads the nation in improving health outcomes for all. Among these new laws are provisions that will help us address staffing challenges affecting our most vulnerable New Yorkers, provide necessary reimbursements for specialized medical care, and authorize insurance providers to create wellness programs that prevent insurers from decreasing long-term disability insurance benefits. “I thank the Governor for ensuring that the State continues to guarantee access to quality health care for all New Yorkers.”
The S.1196-A/A.1673-A legislation requires state-regulated insurance plans, including Medicaid, to cover biomarker testing for the diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management, or ongoing monitoring of disease or condition of a patient when the test is supported by medical information and scientific evidence.
State Senator Roxanne Persaud said: “Biomarker testing has rapidly become an integral part of healthcare, as research has shown that it dramatically improves outcomes for patients suffering from various diseases and conditions, including different forms of cancer, arthritis, Parkinson’s and more. After months of dedicated effort, I am thrilled that we are able to give millions more New Yorkers the gift of access to this life-saving treatment just as we approach the holidays. I want to thank my co-sponsor, Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter, to Governor Kathy Hochul, the American Cancer Society and many other organizations who enthusiastically supported this legislation and ultimately made it possible. We would not be celebrating this achievement today without the unwavering support of those organizations and individuals who recognized that this is an issue to save lives. Timely diagnosis and targeted treatment have received a huge boost and I am proud of our achievement.
Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter said: “As medical capabilities progress and patients begin to see vastly improved health outcomes, we must strive to make the benefits of these new advances as equitable as possible. With biomarker testing, patients will have access to new information that will guide treatment in a way that best suits the individual. Additionally, this will help conserve medical resources as patients receive treatments that are more likely to produce results rather than going through a period of trial and error. “I am proud to have sponsored this bill in New York State and thank Governor Hochul for signing this vital legislation to significantly expand the availability of these life-saving tests.”
The S.6897/A.7328 legislation will help address staffing challenges associated with the pandemic that have driven an increase in the use of temporary agency staff across healthcare, including in nursing homes. The legislation will establish a four-year demonstration project to reduce the use of temporary staffing agencies in residential health care facilities by incentivizing a reduction in the use of temporary agency staff and better focusing resources on continuity of full-time staff .
The S.6641-A/A.7365 legislation will allow local health departments to provide basic “light” public health services in the home without being subject to all the requirements of a licensed home care services agency.
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin said: “There is always a need to ease administrative and financial burdens on healthcare providers, especially at this time when our healthcare system is struggling with workforce shortages and financial issues post-Covid. “I thank Governor Hochul for signing these bills into law that support our health departments, skilled nursing facilities, and ultimately New York’s healthcare system.”
The legislation S.6521/A.3089 reestablishes the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Assistance Program to reimburse the cost of providing health care or health insurance to eligible individuals who have cystic fibrosis.
State Senator Kevin Thomas said, “I want to thank Governor Hochul for signing the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Assistance Program into law, ensuring that those fighting this difficult disease have access to the support they need. “This is a crucial step in alleviating pressure on adults with cystic fibrosis by reimbursing their healthcare expenses, allowing them to receive treatments and maintain their well-being without undue financial burden.”
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato said: “After years of promotion, we have reached this monumental moment. This legislation streamlines a difficult process and will now allow individuals and families struggling with CF to have access to the resources they deserve. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for signing this bill and a very special thank you to the Fox family in my district, who have been incredible advocates on this issue and have worked to make this legislation a reality and improve the lives of New Yorkers.”
The legislation S.5890-A/A.2853-B authorizes life insurers to establish wellness programs in conjunction with the issuance of life insurance policies to ensure full or partial reimbursement of the cost of a device and associated underwriting which can be used to track activity or biometric data and discounts on life insurance and on products or services intended to encourage positive behavioral changes.
El asambleísta Demond Meeks said: “It is essential that members of our community are able to prioritize their health and well-being as needed. Life insurance is not just a safety net, but a form of preventative care that provides security and peace of mind for individuals and their families. This legislation will allow New Yorkers to participate in wellness programs provided by life insurance companies, allowing policyholders to take full advantage of the benefits available to them. Thank you to Senator Breslin, Governor Kathy Hochul, members of the Life Insurance Council of New York (LICONY), my state colleagues, and our strong advocates for supporting the well-being of the people of New York.”
The S.7211/A.7218 legislation improves reporting and problem resolution in residential care facilities by establishing regular communication between long-term care ombudsmen who receive complaints and investigators of those complaints.
State Senator Cordell Cleare said: “It is vitally important that our seniors, along with their families and caregivers, have access to information and assistance from professionals who understand them and can advocate for them effectively. For many people in long-term care facilities, the Advocate The Ombudsman will be the first and possibly the only person to interact with them and communicate with the relevant agencies, on their behalf. Once the Ombudsman program is properly funded, I have no doubt that countless lives will be saved. Thanks to these interventions and we will be able to “Avoid the tragic deaths experienced by our seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I look forward to working with the Ombudsman program to help engage and recruit diverse groups of advocates who will support this critical work.”
Assemblyman Ron Kim said, “I thank Governor Hochul for signing our legislation S7211/A7218 to continue improving the state’s long-term care ombudsman program (LTCOP). This is a critical step toward building the state’s ability to monitor and monitor care facilities for our most vulnerable people Today, many families fear that nursing homes and rehabilitation centers are cutting corners and neglecting their loved ones.
2023-12-22 22:21:38
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