Your Weekly Dose of Health August 19, 2016

** As you may be aware, step therapy, or “fail first” legislation, A.2834D (Titone) / S.3419C (Young), passed the NYS Senate and Assembly in the final week of the Legislative Session. Please take the time to call Governor Cuomo at 518-474-8390 and urge him to sign this legislation into law, as it’s in the best interest of New York patients and providers! Click here for more information on step therapy.

National News:

  • The Affordable Care Act has run into some problems as premiums spike and some major insurers have left the online exchanges. In response, the Obama administration is planning a campaign to bolster enrollment in the marketplaces. Advertising will include testimonials from the recently insured and will attempt to appeal to more young people.
  • Economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman notes that overall the ACA has been a success, but that these recent problems need to be address. He proposes a public option, letting the government offer a health plan directly. This was an idea discussed when the original bill was negotiated, but it didn’t make it into the law.

State News:

  • New York State of Health, New York’s insurance marketplace, released a report this week on healthcare enrollment in New York. New York State of Health has enrolled more than 2.8 million people as of January 31st of 2016. That’s 15 percent of the state’s population.
  • Governor Cuomo this week signed a bill allowing sixteen and seventeen-year-olds to become organ donors.

City News:

  • New York City’s Department of Homeless Services is teaming up with a local nonprofit to provide medical attention and health services to the city’s homeless population.

Upcoming Events:

  • The United Hospital Fund is holding its 2016 Gala on September 26th at the Waldorf-Astoria. See more here.
  • The New York Academy of Sciences is hosting a conference on September 16th regarding the ethics and value of big data for obesity research.
  • Philanthropy New York is hosting an event on September 27th about the challenges of the current health care work force.
  • Click here for upcoming meetings, hearings and events from the state Department of Health.