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NY Gets a Boost for Consumer Assistance Programs

Posted October, 19 2010 by arianne

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced today that New York is scheduled to receive an additional $1.76 million in federal funds to support programs which help consumers get, use, or dispute health insurance benefits.  The funds are part of the $30 million allocated to state consumer assistance programs under the new health reform law. […]

Ex-Governor Pataki's Pants Revealed to be On Fire

Posted October, 18 2010 by arianne

FactCheck.org has debunked a series of statements made in ads released by Revere America, a conservative group backed by ex-Governor George Pataki.   The ads have been aired against Reps. Carol Shea-Porter of New Hampshire and John Hall of New York’s 19th District, and make several false claims about the new federal health reform law.   Among these are claims that the new law […]

Big Changes Coming for NY's Medicaid Administration

Posted October, 15 2010 by arianne

The 2010-11 budget included a provision to shift the administration responsibilities of New York’s Medicaid program from the counties to the State.  Now, the State Health Commissioner is required to issue a plan to do so by the end of November. This change could have a major impact on this vital program, particularly in light of the governor’s race.  Whomever […]

NY Puts the Kibosh on Higher Drug Co-pays

Posted October, 5 2010 by arianne

Last Friday night, Governor Paterson signed into law a measure that will help keep down the cost of co-pays for expensive drugs in private insurance plans.  Across the country, many health plans have been moving towards the use of new “specialty tiers” for higher-priced drugs.  These abandon the traditional three-tier $10/$25/$50 co-pay system in favor of […]