NYSBDC’S 2024 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

Step therapy is a type of utilization management by which health plans require patients to “fail first '' on one or more alternative medications before they can access the medicine prescribed by their provider.  As delays in appropriate treatment can result in worse health outcomes, including long-term joint damage and increased hospitalizations, NYSBDC supports building on previous reforms to create guardrails on the growing use of step therapy. 
S.1267 (Breslin) / A.901 (McDonald) - Passed Senate; currently in Assembly Insurance Committee 

Pre-authorization is a type of utilization management by which patients or providers must obtain additional approval from a health plan before a specific service or treatment is delivered to the patient to qualify for payment coverage. The overuse of such requirements creates additional administrative burdens, driving up costs while delaying care. Patients, providers, and hospitals have long called for change, and NYSBDC supports building on previous reforms to establish reasonable limits on the use of pre-authorization.
S.3400 (Breslin) / A.7268 (Weprin) - Currently in Senate Finance & Assembly Insurance Committees 

Temporary disability insurance and paid family leave allow workers to continue earning a portion of their pay while they take time off work to address serious health conditions. As it is crucial for people with chronic conditions (such as bleeding disorders) to be able to care for themselves and their families without sacrificing their economic security, NYSBDC supports expansion of these programs.
S.2821-B (Ramos) / A.4053-B (Solages) - Currently in Senate Finance & Assembly Labor Committees as well as Governor’s Executive Budget