Advocacy
The budget was finalized nearly three weeks past the March 31 deadline, however IHA’s budget advocacy continued with a persistent voicing of the critical need for equity in the distribution of Medicaid and supportive funding appropriated in the budget. This advocacy will continue throughout the summer as the Hochul administration finalizes crucial details regarding Medicaid funding allocations and the newly authorized application for an NYS Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax. As part of this advocacy, IHA has carried this message in meetings with both the Director of the Division of the Budget and the Commissioner of Health. In addition, we were joined in these meetings with leaders of the Upstate Assembly Delegation to echo the need for clarity and equitable distribution of funds.
Legislative Update
As always it was a scramble to race to the finish line for the State Legislature, who stayed in town just one extra day to get through their active lists. Throughout the 2024 Legislative Session 17,759 bills were introduced, which is 3,000 more than were introduced in 2023. 805 bills were passed by both houses, which was just a few dozen fewer than 2023. 316 bills passed both houses as of May 31, and 489 bills were passed by both houses between June 3 and June 8. There is a potential for the Governor to call special session later in the summer to address specific issues such as congestion pricing, in which case the legislature may add other items to the agenda.
IHA priority legislation was comprised mainly of workforce bills that would expand scope of practice and measures that would eliminate barriers for additional health care staff to enter NYS and begin working on an expediated timeline.
Bills that IHA supported that made it through both houses and will now be sent to the Governor include:
- -S.2141 / A.7723, would expand the definition of primary care practitioners to include physician assistants to expand access to primary care.
- S.9038 / A.8378-A, would modernize standards for physician assistant practice by increasing the number of PAs that can be supervised by an MD from 4 to 6, authorizes PAs to prescribe and order NPS regimen to an RN, and overall increase the number of providers available to treat patients.
- S.8470 / A.8247-A, would expand the law to permit licensed physicians, certified nurse practitioners, or licensed PAs to supervise radiologic technologists administering intravenous contrast media.
Another bill that IHA championed this session would have authorized certain licensed, out-of-state nurses and physicians to practice in New York state temporarily upon endorsement by an employer while awaiting licensure application processing. A narrower version of this bill was enacted during the 2023 session, however the degree to which it was narrowed rendered it unhelpful to upstate and rural hospitals. Unfortunately, this broader legislation did not get passed this session. IHA will continue to advance this legislation next session.
Finally, Wrongful Death legislation has passed both houses for the third year in a row. The Governor has vetoed it twice before. IHA is monitoring the progression of this bill and has weighed in on the harmful impacts it would have on hospital operations and access to care.
Political Landscape
State Primary Elections for Federal, State, and Local offices were held on June 25th. New York is in the spotlight for Congressional races, as control of the House is largely dependent upon the results of elections of several congressional seats in New York. The outcomes of these primary elections could have a significant impact on how general elections play out this November. Outcomes to note include John Avalon’s win of the 1st District, Avalon will go on to face Rep. Nick LaLota in the Fall. In the Syracuse area state Sen. John Mannion defeated city councilor Sarah Klee Hood, and will now get a chance at one of the more vulnerable Republican held seats in New York. Incumbent Rep. Claudia Tenney also defended her seat against Mario Fratto in the primary and will go on to fight in the general election.
In the State Senate Kim Keiserman won the Democratic primary for District 7 on Long Island to face incumbent Jack Martins. This seat has flipped partisan control four times in the past nine elections. In the State Assembly Didi Barrett defeated challenger Claire Cousin to represent the Democratic party in the Hudson Valley and into Columbia County. There were many candidates vying for the spot that Albany area Assemblywoman Pat Fahy is vacating to run for state Senate, but Gabriella Romero, an Albany public defender, came out on top.
IHA will continue to monitor these and, of course, the race for President as we inform out advocacy strategies.