Advocacy Day
Each year, emergency physicians make a greater and more lasting impression during Advocacy Day in Albany when meeting with legislators and staff to discuss pressing issues facing emergency medicine and our patients. These visits serve many purposes including educating legislators on emergency medicine issues, seeking support for specific bills or legislative initiatives and showing appreciation for past support.
Advocacy Day Agenda
Governor’s Proposed Budget (S7507-A/A9507-A Article VII, Health and Mental Hygiene)
- Surprise Bill Law, Balance Billing Prohibition. Concerns with Recommendations
- 30 Day Amendments to strike language originally proposed to expand prohibitions on administrative denials by insurance companies for emergency services, observation stays, and all inpatient hospital admissions. Oppose
- Excess Medical Liability Program. 30 Day Amendments to limit the program allocation to June 30, 2020, subject to discussion by the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT). Oppose
- Office of Professional Misconduct (OPMC). Oppose
- Expansion of Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner. (SAFE) program. Support with new funding
- Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs (CPEPs). Support
Pending Legislation
S6757 (Rivera)/A8639 (Gottfried), Patient Medical Debt Protection. Concerns
Status: Senate and Assembly Health Committees
A3741 (McDonald)/S4482 (Harkham)-report patient overdose to the PMP. Oppose
Status: Senate and Assembly Health Committees.
S6650 (Harkham)/A8541 (Braunstein)-provides discharged patient with opioid overdose education and opioid antagonists for take home use. Support
Status: Passed Senate/Assembly Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee
S5457 (Harkham)-expands the list of entities authorized to possess, distribute, and administer an opioid antagonist to reverse an opioid-related overdose to persons employed by restaurants, bars, and retail establishments and protects them from legal liability. Support
Status: Passed Senate. Delivered to Assembly Health Committee.
Mandatory Continuing Medical Education. Oppose