Funding our hospitals and nursing homes

By persevering over the governor’s objections and providing $804.1 million in restorations and new spending for crucial health care and aging programs, the Legislature protected our hospitals and nursing homes, so they will be there for us when we need help. Assemblywoman Lupardo fought for this state funding increase so that all New Yorkers have access to quality, affordable health care (Ch. 109 of 2006).

The legislation:

• Increases hospital emergency room reimbursement rates to help struggling hospitals who care for the uninsured

• Increases nursing home reimbursements

• Provides $172 million in additional Health Care Reform Act spending for several programs including Medicaid Managed Care, a new Home Care Recruitment and Retention program, and indigent care funding for community health centers

• Extends the state’s wraparound coverage of Medicaid/Medicare dual-eligible individuals

Medicaid fraud wastes taxpayer dollars and robs our most vulnerable - the sick, disabled and elderly - of needed care. Cracking down on these abuses will help protect both people who need care and taxpayers by punishing those who abuse the system.

The Assembly took the lead to end Medicaid fraud and passed legislation, which Lupardo supported, that creates a Medicaid Inspector General office to uncover and combat fraud (A.12015/S.8450). The bill passed the Senate and awaits the governor’s signature.

Assemblywoman Lupardo supported legislation to disclose marketing tactics drug companies use to sell their prescription drugs (A.5574-E, awaiting Senate approval).

Currently, drug companies spend billions - an average of $13,000 per physician a year - to influence doctors. The Assembly bill would outline perks pharmaceutical companies give to doctors, hospitals, clinics and medical personnel in a free annual consumer guide, published by the state Department of Health and distributed by the Office for the Aging and local agencies.

The Assembly fought for lower drug costs by establishing the Prescription Drug Assistance Program which Lupardo supported (A.6336-B, awaiting Senate approval). The proposal would direct the state to collectively bargain for reduced drug prices for seniors; Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) insurance program participants; gap coverage, including the "doughnut hole" gap in Medicare Part D; those without health insurance; and health care facilities.

Under this bill, the state would negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs and lower their cost, saving money for both state health plans and Medicaid, and saving you money on the prescriptions you need.