“Health insurance foxes strategizing at the assembly hen house on how to kill the Govs pro consumer health exchange bill.” –  via jesswisneski @twitter

Those of you not at the capital today fighting for a consumer and small business-friendly insurance exchange bill will be interested to know what’s going on up there.  Reports are coming in from fellow HCFANY folks at the capital that the place is swarming with big insurance lobbyists who are trying to squash the Governor’s bill (see above).

 But, insurance bigwigs aren’t the only ones who can have a say in all of this! You can make yourself heard too, even if you are stuck at work or in traffic or whatnot!

Call your State Senators (518-455-2800) and Assemblymembers (518-455-4100.)  Or call Governor Cuomo’s office (518-474-8390), to thank him for his leadership in putting forward a bill on this matter.

 Tell your lawmakers to:

• Pass health insurance exchange legislation this year before the session ends, and work off Governor Cuomo’s bill, NOT the Senate leadership bill
• Make sure the exchange can serve as an active purchaser to bargain on behalf of consumers and small businesses.
• Include strong and explicit conflict of interest provisions for board members of the exchange.
• Direct the exchange to study and develop recommendations for how to improve health equity and reduce health disparities through the exchange.

Time is running short until the end of the legislative session – but it’s not too late to weigh in.  Let’s make every second count!