Your Weekly Dose of Health June 24, 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:

  • House Speaker Paul Ryan released this week the Republicans’ plan for a replacement to the Affordable Care Act. The plan includes health savings accounts, provisions for selling insurance across state lines and increasing the Medicare eligibility age among other measures.
  • In an op-ed for the Huffington Post, New York City Food Bank CEO Margarette Purvis argues that the most powerful thing to do in the fight against hunger is to raise our voice and force debate on the issue. She notes that national politicians are too silent on issues of hunger.

New York State News:

  • Senator Schumer urged the Department of Housing and Urban Development to approve $2.9 million to help Syracuse remove lead paint in homes.
  • Governor Cuomo this week signed a package of bills to combat New York State’s heroin crisis. The bills would limit opioid prescriptions and eliminate insurance barriers to addiction treatment.
  • The state legislature passed a bill to require school districts to test their water for lead. If signed, New York will be the first in the nation with such a requirement.
  • Governor Cuomo this week announced that all people living with HIV/AIDS in New York City will be eligible for housing, transportation and nutritional support. Read more here.

New York City News:

  • New York City’s health department will post online the results of lead water testing in day care centers.

Upcoming Events:

  • Crain’s New York is hosting a healthcare summit on June 27th at the New York Athletic Club in New York City. More details here.
  • The United Hospital Fund is holding its annual Medicaid Conference on July 14th in New York City. Read more here.