Governor Kathy Hochul today signed a legislative package to strengthen health care in New York State. Legislation S.1839A/A.2609A requires the Health Equity Council to advise the Department of Health Commissioner on Sickle Cell Disease and create recommendations to promote the screening and detection of Sickle Cell. Legislation S.1451/A.782 expands upon collaborative models to address disparities in health care access across the state. Legislation S.3609B/A.3113A enhances the scope of equity impact assessments to require the consideration of reproductive health services and maternal health care. Legislation S.4097B/A.5817A organizes the collections of health care claims data to publish a New York State benefit plan hospital pricing report.
“As Governor, I’m committed to ensuring every New Yorker has access to high-quality, affordable health care,” Governor Hochul said. “With this legislative package, we’re taking a major step forward in addressing health care disparities in our state and ensuring all New Yorkers can find the care that they need and deserve.”
Legislation S.1839A/A.2609A requires the Health Equity Council to advise the Department of Health Commissioner on Sickle Cell Disease and also create recommendations to promote the screening and detection of Sickle Cell, which is the most commonly inherited blood disorder, and which disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic people. The legislation will require the establishment of a statewide public education and outreach campaign to publicize evidence-based Sickle Cell Disease screening, detection and education services.
State Senator James Sanders said, “While there is no cure for sickle cell disease, early detection and education are essential to improving the lives of those affected by this devastating condition. This bill will help to ensure that all Americans, regardless of their race or ethnicity, have access to the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health.”
Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman said, “Thank you Governor Hochul for signing into law Bill A2609A, a landmark piece of legislation focused on Sickle Cell disease detection and education. This crucial step forward exemplifies the Governor’s unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our community.”
Legislation S.1451/A.782 expands upon a collaborative program to include programs that will address disparities in health care access and treatment, or address conditions with a higher prevalence in defined populations across New York State. Some of these conditions include cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity, asthma, sickle cell disease, sepsis, lupus, various types of cancer and substance abuse.
State Senator James Sanders Jr. said, “Addressing health disparities is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic investment in the future of our state. By empowering healthcare providers to collaborate and innovate, this bill has the potential to improve health outcomes for underserved populations and reduce overall healthcare costs.”
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “Thank you Governor Hochul for signing A.782/S.1451. Allowing hospitals, home-health agencies, and other healthcare providers the opportunity to collaborate and innovate towards finding solutions to address existing health disparities can only help improve patient outcomes and draw us closer to our goal of healthier communities. I can’t wait to see the needle move forward to benefit New Yorkers.”
Legislation S.3609B/A.3113A enhances the scope of health equity impact assessments to require the consideration of reproductive health services and maternal health care. Health equity impact assessments are required when a hospital submits an application for approval to change, merge, or close its services or facilities, and assesses how the proposed action will have an impact on consumers in the hospital’s service area.
State Senator Lea Webb said, “We have fought to protect access to reproductive healthcare here in New York, but there is still work to be done to ensure that those protections are equitable and accessible for all women. This legislation will help address barriers to reproductive and maternal care that impact women in all regions of our state, particularly in rural areas, urban areas, and communities of color. I am grateful to my colleague, Assemblywoman Clark, for her partnership on this issue. I thank Governor Hochul for demonstrating her steadfast commitment to maternal and reproductive health by signing our legislation into law today.”
Assemblymember Sarah Clark said, “Across New York, we have faced reductions and elimination of reproductive health services and maternal health care as providers merge, are acquired, or change ownership. We have a responsibility to protect access to this vital care by guaranteeing communities affected understand the impact these changes will have on all maternal health services. Modifying the existing Health Equity Impact Assessment to include explicit consideration of these services is a critical step to ensure New York remains a leader in reproductive health rights.”
Legislation S.4097B/A.5817A directs the President of the Civil Service Commission to organize the collection of health care claims data that relates to the price and utilization of hospital benefits by active employees, retired employees, and their dependents in order to publish a New York State benefit hospital pricing report. The New York State benefit hospital pricing report will help to increase transparency and showcase health care expenses, trends, and variables that influence health care spending and hospital costs.
State Senator Andrew Gounardes said, “The state has been needlessly in the dark when it comes to what we’re paying for sky-high hospital prices. With this bill, we can ensure better tracking and more transparency that’s needed to save taxpayers billions of dollars and ultimately bring down the cost of care. I commend Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law and thank my colleague Assemblywoman Solages for her efforts getting it passed.”
Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages said, “As an advocate for transparent healthcare pricing, I am delighted by the signing of this bill, representing a significant leap forward in empowering consumers. This legislation emphasizes our steadfast commitment to ensuring patients receive the clarity they rightfully deserve. My sincere gratitude goes to Governor Hochul for her support, and I extend appreciation to Senator Gournardes and 32BJ for their invaluable collaboration in bringing this essential law to fruition.”
This legislative package builds on Governor Hochul’s commitment to expanding health care in New York. Earlier this month, the Governor announced more than $4.6 million in state funding for programs to expand access and eliminate disparities in health care while helping to increase diversity among the physician workforce throughout New York, representing a $1.2 million increase over the previous year’s allocation. The goal of the programs, managed by the Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) and funded in part through the state Department of Health and in part through the State Legislature, is to improve access to care and eliminate health care disparities in New York State by diversifying the physician workforce.
